If any taxpayer fails to make a return required by this part, the board shall make an estimate, based upon any information available to it, for the period or periods with respect to which the taxpayer failed to make a return of all alcoholic beverages sold in this state by him or her. Upon the basis of this estimate the board shall compute and determine the amount required to be paid to the state, adding to the sum thus fixed a penalty equal to 10 percent thereof. One or more determinations may be made of the amount of tax due for one or for more than one period. The amount of tax so determined shall bear interest at the modified adjusted rate per month, or fraction thereof, established pursuant to Section 6591.5, from the 15th day of the month following the close of the period for which the amount of the tax, or any portion thereof, should have been returned until the date of payment. In making a determination the board may offset overpayments for a period or periods against underpayments for another period or periods and against interest and penalties on the underpayments. If any part of the deficiency for which a determination is made is due to negligence or intentional disregard of this part or authorized rules, an additional penalty of 10 percent of the amount of the determination shall be added. If the neglect or refusal of a taxpayer to file a return as required by this part was due to fraud or an intent to evade the tax, there shall be added to the tax a penalty equal to 25 percent thereof in addition to the 10 percent penalty. The board shall give to the taxpayer written notice of the estimate and determination, the notice to be served personally or by mail in the same manner as prescribed for service of notice by Section 32271.
(Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1087, Sec. 46. Effective January 1, 1997.)