(a) (1) If the department finds that a person’s failure to make a timely return or payment is due to reasonable cause and circumstances beyond the person’s control, and occurred notwithstanding the exercise of ordinary care and the absence of willful neglect, the person shall be relieved of the penalties provided by Sections 6452.05, 6476, 6477, 6479.3, 6480.4, 6511, 6565, 6591, 7051.2, 7073, and 7074.
(2) If the department finds, with respect to the information return required by Section 6452.05, that a person’s failure to accurately disclose information is due to reasonable cause and circumstances beyond the person’s control, and occurred notwithstanding the exercise of ordinary care and the absence of willful neglect, the person shall be relieved of the relevant penalty provided by Section 6591.3.
(b) Except as provided in subdivision (c), a person seeking to be relieved of the penalty shall file with the department a statement under penalty of perjury setting forth the facts upon which the person bases the claim for relief.
(c) The department shall establish criteria that provides for efficient resolution of requests for relief pursuant to this section.
(Amended by Stats. 2020, Ch. 17, Sec. 8. (AB 90) Effective June 29, 2020.)