0860 State Board of Equalization
Program Descriptions

15 - COUNTY ASSESSMENT STANDARDS PROGRAM

This program ensures that taxable properties are assessed and enrolled by county assessors in full conformity with the law.

20 - STATE-ASSESSED PROPERTY PROGRAM

This program is responsible for valuing and assessing inter-county pipelines and properties owned or used by railroads, regulated telephone companies, companies transmitting or selling gas or electricity, and private railroad car companies. Local jurisdictions use the established values for the levy and collection of local property taxes.

25 - TIMBER TAX PROGRAM

This program administers the Timber Yield Tax by establishing the harvest value of timber and collecting a tax on the harvested timber.

30 - SALES AND USE TAX PROGRAM

This program ensures that all sales and use tax revenues are collected in an equitable and effective manner through accurate reporting of tax liability. This is accomplished by detecting and correcting errors in self-assessments, and promptly collecting amounts determined to be due and economically recoverable. Under this program, the BOE administers the following taxes: State Sales and Use Tax, Bradley-Burns Uniform Local Sales and Use Tax, and District Transactions and Use Tax (cities/counties).

35 - HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES TAX PROGRAM

This program provides revenue for the Hazardous Waste Control Account (HWCA) and the Toxic Substances Control Account (TSCA). The fees provide funding to the Department of Toxic Substances (DTSC) to regulate hazardous waste in California. Generators of hazardous waste, hazardous waste facilities and certain business organizations, as identified by statutes, are subject to the fees. The BOE administers the following fee programs in partnership with the DTSC: Disposal Fee (HWCA), Facility Fee (HWCA), Generator Fee (HWCA), Transportable Treatment Unit Fee (HWCA), Activity Fee (HWCA), and Environmental Fee (TSCA).

40 - ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE TAX PROGRAM

This program collects the excise tax imposed on the sale, distribution, or importation of alcoholic beverages in California.

41 - TIRE RECYCLING FEE PROGRAM

This program provides revenue for the California Tire Recycling Account in the California Tire Recycling Management Fund and Air Pollution Control Fund. The fee provides funding to reduce: air pollution, landfill disposal, and stockpiling of used tires. The BOE administers the program in partnership with the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (DRRR) and the Air Resources Board (ARB).

45 - CIGARETTE AND TOBACCO PRODUCTS TAX PROGRAM

This program provides revenue for the Cigarette Tax Fund, Cigarette and Tobacco Products Surtax Fund, the Breast Cancer Fund, and the California Children and Families First Trust Fund. The program objective is to ensure that all cigarette and tobacco products tax revenues are collected equitably and effectively by ensuring timely reporting and payment of tax liabilities, detecting and correcting errors in reporting, and promptly collecting amounts determined to be due and economically recoverable.

46 - CIGARETTE AND TOBACCO PRODUCTS LICENSING PROGRAM

This program, established by the California Cigarette and Tobacco Licensing Act of 2003, reduces tax evasion, smuggling, and counterfeiting of cigarette and tobacco products and stamps. It requires statewide licensing of all distributors, wholesalers, importers, manufacturers, and retailers of cigarette and tobacco products. This program provides revenues for the Cigarette and Tobacco Products Compliance Fund.

50 - TRANSPORTATION FUND TAX PROGRAM

This program provides revenue for the Transportation Tax Fund, Aeronautics Account, Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund, Off-Highway Vehicle Trust Fund, and Department of Food and Agriculture Fund. The objective of this program is to ensure that the motor vehicle fuel, jet fuel, various use fuel, and diesel fuel taxes are administered equitably and effectively. Pursuant to the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA), the BOE registers interstate truckers whose base is in California. Revenues from this program are used to construct and maintain public roads and mass transit systems, airports and waterways.

56 - OCCUPATIONAL LEAD POISONING PREVENTION FEE PROGRAM

This program provides revenue for the Occupational Lead Poisoning Prevention Account in the General Fund. The funds are used to establish and maintain occupational health and disease prevention programs. Employers in specified Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes who employ 10 or more qualifying employees are subject to the fee. The BOE administers the program in partnership with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

57 - INTEGRATED WASTE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

This program provides revenue for the Integrated Waste Management Account in the Integrated Waste Management Fund. The fees provide funding to respond to potential health and environmental problems at on-site and off-site solid waste landfills, and supports State and local landfill permit enforcement programs. Operators of solid waste disposal facilities that include non-hazardous wood waste facilities are subject to the fee. The BOE administers the program in partnership with the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (DRRR).

58 - UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK MAINTENANCE FEE PROGRAM

This program collects a fee for each gallon of petroleum placed in underground petroleum storage tanks for the Petroleum Underground Storage Tank Financing Account. The revenues provide funding to monitor and regulate underground storage tanks containing petroleum, and to protect human health and the environment.

59 - OIL SPILL PREVENTION PROGRAM

This program collects fees on all crude oil and petroleum products received in California via marine pipelines and terminals. The prevention and administration fees provide funding to implement oil spill prevention programs and reimburse the member agencies of the State Interagency Oil Spill Committee for costs arising from the implementation of this program. Funding is also provided to implement, install, and maintain emergency programs, equipment, and facilities to respond to, contain, and cleanup oil spills.

60 - ENERGY RESOURCES SURCHARGE PROGRAM

This program provides revenue for support of the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission. The revenue is generated by administering a surcharge on consumers of electrical energy furnished by an electrical utility.

61 - ANNUAL WATER RIGHTS FEE PROGRAM

This program provides revenue for the Water Rights Fund. The fees provide funding to the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to support the activities of its Division of Water Rights. The annual fee is collected from water right permit holders based on a schedule of fees adopted each fiscal year by the SWRCB. The BOE administers the program in partnership with the SWRCB.

62 - CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING PREVENTION FEE PROGRAM

This program collects an annual fee from architectural coatings distributors, motor vehicle fuel distributors, and facilities currently reporting releases of lead into ambient air in California. This revenue supports the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Fee Program administered by the California Department of Public Health, Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch.

63 - MARINE INVASIVE SPECIES FEE PROGRAM

This program provides revenue for the Marine Invasive Species Control Fund and is often referred to as the Ballast Water Management Program. The fees provide funding to the California State Lands Commission (SLC) to address the problems of the introduction and spread of non-indigenous aquatic species into California waters. Owners or operators of qualifying vessels carrying, or capable of carrying, ballast water from outside California are subject to the fee. The BOE administers the program in partnership with the SLC.

64 - STATE RESPONSIBILITY AREA FIRE PREVENTION FEE PROGRAM

This program provides revenue for the State Responsibility Area Fire Prevention Fund. The revenue is generated by administering an annual fire prevention fee, in an amount not to exceed $150 charged on each habitable structure on a parcel that is within a state responsibility area. The revenues are to be used by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) for fire prevention activities within the State Responsibility Area (SRA) which would benefit those owners who are subject to the fire prevention fee.

65 - EMERGENCY TELEPHONE USERS SURCHARGE PROGRAM

This program provides revenue to fund the State's "911" emergency telephone system by administering a surcharge on intrastate telephone and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communication services. The funds collected are deposited into the State Emergency Telephone Number Account.

66 - E-WASTE RECYCLING FEE PROGRAM

This program provides revenue for the Electronic Waste Recovery and Recycling Account in the Integrated Waste Management Fund. The fees provide funding for the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (DRRR) by imposing a recycling fee upon the retail sale or lease of a new or refurbished video display devices identified by the Department of Toxic Substances (DTSC) containing hazardous materials.

67 - LUMBER FEE PROGRAM

This program collects a one percent assessment on purchases of lumber products and engineered wood products for use in California.

70 - INSURANCE TAX PROGRAM

This program administers taxes assessed on insurance premiums, underwriting profits from ocean marine insurance and retaliatory assessments levied on "foreign" insurers. The taxes collected are deposited into the Insurance Tax Fund.

75 - NATURAL GAS SURCHARGE PROGRAM

This program provides revenue to fund low-income assistance programs, cost effective energy efficiency programs, conservation activities, and public interest research and development. The revenue is generated by administering a surcharge on the consumption of all natural gas in California.

80 - APPEALS FROM OTHER GOVERNMENTAL PROGRAMS

This program reviews income tax assessments and corporation taxes and eligibility determinations made in administering the Senior Citizens Property Tax Assistance Program upon a written request is filed by a taxpayer. The program also acts as an impartial tribunal to hear and decide property tax assessment appeals by a local government (or one of its agencies) that owns taxable real property located outside its boundaries. Property owned by a local government, such as a city, and located outside its boundaries is subject to assessment by the county in which the property is located.

85 - ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM

The Administration Program's objectives are to fairly, effectively and efficiently implement the policies and directives of the Board Members and to provide direction, leadership, planning, and support services for all Board programs.