California · Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC

RTC §19542: Except as otherwise provided in this article and as required to administer Section 19005, it is a misdemeanor for the Franchise Tax Board or any member thereof, or any deputy, agent, clerk, or other o

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

It is unlawful for state officials or employees with access to tax returns to disclose confidential income information or business details from those returns.

Read the full statutory text

Except as otherwise provided in this article and as required to administer Section 19005, it is a misdemeanor for the Franchise Tax Board or any member thereof, or any deputy, agent, clerk, or other officer or employee of the state, including its political subdivisions, or a jury commissioner, or any former officer or employee or other individual, who in the course of their employment or duty has or had access to returns, reports, or documents required to be filed under this part, to disclose or make known in any manner information as to the amount of income or any particulars, including the business affairs of a corporation, set forth or disclosed therein.

Verify at the official source: California legislative text

Facing this? Know exactly what happens next.

MOFRD turns this code section into your situation: the deadlines that apply to you, the forms your county uses, and the resolution paths people in your position actually take. Free for 3 days — no card required.

Start your matter free Ask Law Link about this code

This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.