State Government
Publications Guides, Manuals, and Reference Materials County Tax Collectors' Reference Manual (2012) Chapter 1000 Secured Collections 1730-1731 Escape Assessments: Personal Property1730-1731 Escape Assessments: Personal Property
1730. LIEN CREATED
Escape assessments on personal property are enrolled by the assessor on either the secured or the unsecured roll (Rev. & Tax. Code §§109, 531); see M-1703 for entry on roll.
1731. PENAL ASSESSMENTS
If personal property escapes assessment through a willful act or omission on the part of the taxpayer, it is subject to a penalty equal to 25 percent of the value of the property that escaped assessment. If personal property escapes assessment due to a fraudulent act on the part of the taxpayer or due to collusion between the taxpayer or his/her agent and the assessor or any of his/her deputies, it is subject to a penalty equal to 75 percent of the value of the property that escaped assessment (Rev. & Tax. Code §§503-504, 531, 531.3, 531.5).
These penalties also apply to tangible personal property that any person willfully conceals, fails to disclose, removes, transfers, or misrepresents in order to avoid taxation (Rev. & Tax. Code §502).