California · Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC

RTC §20645.9: Any tax preparer, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 20645.

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

A tax preparer who endorses or negotiates a warrant for assistance issued to someone else commits a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 fine and/or one year imprisonment, unless the preparer advanced money equal to the refund amount.

Read the full statutory text

Any tax preparer, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 20645.7, who endorses or otherwise negotiates (directly or through an agent) any warrant made with respect to assistance claimed under this part which is issued to a claimant (other than the tax preparer) shall, in addition to other penalties provided by law, be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) or imprisoned not more than one year, or both, together with the costs of prosecution. This section shall not apply where the tax preparer has advanced the taxpayer an amount of money equal to or greater than the amount of the taxpayer’s tax refund.

Verify at the official source: California legislative text

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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.