On January 19, a new wealth tax was introduced in the California Legislature. Assembly Bill 259 (AB 259) was introduced by Assemblyman Alex Lee (D-Palo Alto), along with co-authors Assembly Members Ash Kalra, Wendy Carrillo, Matt Haney, Corey Jackson, Liz Ortega, and Miguel Santiago, and Senators Maria Elena Durazo, Lena Gonzalez, and Lola Smallwood-Cuevas. The bill requires a 2/3 vote for passage out of both houses of the Legislature.
Section 1 of the bill would amend Government Code Section 12651 dealing with the False Claims Act (FCA). It would apply the FCA to claims under the Revenue and Taxation Code if the damages pleaded exceed $200,000.
The Attorney General or prosecuting authority would be required to consult with the taxing authorities to whom the claim, record, or statement was submitted prior to filing or intervening in any action under this article that is based on the filing of false claims, records, or statements made under the Revenue and Taxation Code.
In addition, the Attorney General or prosecuting authority, but not the qui tam plaintiff, would be authorized to obtain otherwise confidential records relating to taxes, fees, surcharges, or other obligations under the Revenue and Taxation Code needed to investigate or prosecute suspected violations of this subdivision from state and local taxing and other governmental authorities in possession of such information and records, and such authorities are hereby authorized to make those disclosures.
However,...
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