Has anyone filed a protest against a CA tax proposed assessment and won? Is there free help out there? Pam

Question

I am not working and have filed for Social Security Disability so I cannot pay what they are asking.

Answer 1

Probably.

What kind of income is the state of CA saying you owe tax on?

Answer 2

I presume you are asking about a Franchise Tax Board Provisional Assessment but I can't tell if you disagree with the proposal or just can't pay it.

If you disagree with the proposed assessment you can protest it by filing a correct return.  The last one I worked on for a client not only made it go away, it generated a refund.

If your IRS tax return was audited, FTB will piggy back an assessment on it.  Unless the adjustment does not involve California income, you will have no grounds to protest.

Your ability to pay or lack thereof is irrelevant.