Andrew Samaniego | Tax Resolution Blog | CA

If you’ve ever dealt with the IRS, you probably thought you’d seen the worst of tax collections. But for California residents and businesses, there’s a more aggressive collector in town: the Franchise Tax Board (FTB).

And they just got a major upgrade.

The Silent Predator
Unlike the IRS’s somewhat predictable collection process, the FTB operates more like a stealth predator. In my 10 years helping taxpayers resolve their tax issues, I’ve never seen a collection agency move as swiftly and decisively as the FTB.

Here’s a sobering comparison:

The IRS Collection Process:
• Multiple notices over several months
• Clear appeal rights and procedures
• Various payment arrangements available
• Collection Statute Expiration Date (10 years)
• Willingness to correct errors
• Federal guidelines protecting taxpayer rights

The FTB’s Approach:
• Minimal notice requirements
• 10-day response window after levy
• Nearly unlimited collection timeframe
• Limited payment options
• Minimal administrative remedies
• Aggressive collection tactics

The 2024 System Upgrade
This year, the FTB implemented a new automated collection system. The results have been staggering. In San Diego alone last month:
• 312 bank accounts were levied
• 89 business licenses were suspended
• 437 wage garnishments were implemented

Most concerning? The majority of these actions happened without any recent contact with the taxpayers.

Real-World Impact
Let me share a recent case that illustrates the FTB’s new capabilities:

A small business owner in Sacramento thought she had handled her 2019 tax issue because she never heard back from the FTB. On a Tuesday morning, she discovered her business account drained – $47,000 gone overnight. Her business license was suspended the same week.

By the time she reached out to me, she had just 6 days left to respond before the levy became permanent.

Why The FTB Is More Dangerous Than Ever

1. Enhanced Data Mining
   The new system cross-references multiple databases to locate assets and income sources. Even if you’ve moved out of state, they can find you.
2. Automated Decision Making
   The system now automatically triggers collection actions based on predefined criteria, removing the human element that might have previously delayed or reconsidered aggressive collection actions.
3. Expanded Reach
   The FTB has strengthened its partnerships with other states and financial institutions, making it easier to collect from out-of-state residents who owe California taxes.
4. Limited Due Process
   Unlike federal collections, the FTB’s process provides minimal opportunity to dispute or appeal before they take action.

Warning Signs You’re at Risk
• Haven’t filed California returns in recent years
• Received FTB notices but haven’t responded
• Made payment arrangements but missed payments
• Moved out of state with outstanding California tax debt
• Have unfiled returns from years worked in California
• Received any FTB correspondence in the last 6 months

Protecting Yourself
The key to dealing with the FTB is proactive action. Once they strike, you have very limited time and options. Here are the critical first steps:

1. Determine Your Risk Level
   Review any FTB notices and assess your compliance status.
2. Get Current on Filings
   File any missing returns immediately, even if you can’t pay the full amount.
3. Document Everything
   Keep detailed records of all communications and payments.
4. Understand Your Rights
   While limited compared to IRS collections, you do have rights when dealing with the FTB.
5. Seek Professional Help Early
   The complexity of FTB collections often requires specialized knowledge to navigate successfully.

The Bottom Line
The FTB’s new collection system has transformed them from a formidable state agency into an extremely efficient collection machine. The days of flying under the radar or hoping for the best are over.

If you have outstanding California tax issues, the time to act is now, before the FTB acts first.

Until Next Time,
Andrew Samaniego, EA

Last night changed everything.

My wife and I finally got a babysitter (parents, you understand the victory here) and sneaked out to see the new Fantastic Four movie. Between handfuls of overpriced popcorn and stolen glances at my phone checking the babysitter’s texts, something hit me harder than any special effect could.

I saw the IRS.

No, not literally. But in the movie’s cosmic destroyer, Galactus, I saw what I’ve been trying to warn my clients about for months.

Let me explain.

In the film, Galactus sends his herald – the Silver Surfer – to warn Earth of impending doom. The message is clear: prepare to perish. Sound familiar? Those IRS notices sitting in your drawer or inbox right now? They’re your Silver Surfer.

But here’s where reality gets scarier than fiction.

Last week, Maria (name changed) walked into my office. Trembling as she held up her phone showing her bank balance: -$237.84.

“They took everything,” she whispered. “No warning.”

Except there was a warning. Those CP504s and Letter 11s she’d been ignoring? Her Silver Surfer. Now Galactus – the IRS’s newly activated automatic collection system – had arrived.

And it consumed everything.

Here’s what makes the IRS’s new automated system more terrifying than any movie villain:

• It doesn’t need human approval
• It doesn’t care about your circumstances
• It doesn’t negotiate
• It doesn’t wait for perfect timing
• It just executes

Another client, James, learned this the hard way. Perfect credit score. Dream home picked out. Down payment saved. Then boom – automated tax lien. Dreams vaporized faster than a Marvel movie snap.

“But I was going to handle it next month,” he told me.

The machine doesn’t care about “next month.”

The truly terrifying part? This isn’t science fiction. The IRS has officially activated their automated levy, lien, and wage garnishment systems. Think of it as their own Galactus – consuming bank accounts, paychecks, and assets with mechanical precision.

But unlike the movie, you don’t need superpowers to fight back. You just need to act before Galactus arrives.

Remember Maria? If she’d called two weeks earlier, her bank account would still be intact.
James? If he’d reached out a month sooner, he’d be unpacking boxes in his new home right now.

Here’s your reality check:

If you’ve received:

• CP504 notices
• Letter 11s
• Any IRS correspondence about unpaid taxes

Your Silver Surfer has arrived.
Galactus is coming.

The good news? You’re reading this now. Which means you still have time. Unlike the movies, you don’t need the Fantastic Four. You just need someone who knows how to:

• Stop garnishments before they start
• Release existing levies
• Remove tax liens
• Protect your assets
• Negotiate with the IRS

As I walked out of the theater last night, my phone buzzed. Another client. Another garnishment. Another person who waited too long.

Don’t let your story end that way.

Because unlike the movies:

• There’s no reset button
• No alternate ending
• No post-credit scene

Just real consequences. Real money. Real lives.

Ready to fight back?

Click here for a free consultation, or call [phone number]. Mention “Silver Surfer” for priority response.

Because in this story, timing isn’t just about saving the world.
It’s about saving your financial future.

And unlike movie tickets, consultations are free.
But like good movies, spots fill up fast.

Until Next Time,
Andrew Samaniego, EA

Walked past my favorite East San Diego bar yesterday.
Empty.

Stools flipped.

“Closed Permanently” sign in the window.

Not because their cocktails weren’t amazing.
(Trust me, they were)

But because of what I call the “San Diego Small Business Tax Trap.”

After years of helping local businesses here (while the Navy’s kept us stationed in America’s Finest City), I’ve watched too many San Diego dreams die because of three lethal tax mistakes.

That bar owner?
Called me last week.
Too late. (way too late)
IRS had already emptied his accounts.

“But we were packed every weekend!” he told me.
(Packed doesn’t mean profitable)

Mistake #1: The Cash Flow Confusion
They’d look at their POS system nightly.
Bar tabs flowing = success, right?
Wrong.
They forgot about the silent partner taking 30%+ off the top.
(Hint: Uncle Sam doesn’t accept happy hour specials as payment)

Mistake #2: The Employee/Contractor Crisis
Treated all his bartenders as contractors.
“They set their own schedules!” he argued.
IRS disagreed.
$180,000 bill.
Goodbye craft cocktail dreams.

Mistake #3: The DIY Disaster
Did his own bookkeeping after midnight shifts.
“QuickBooks makes it easy!” he said.
Missed payroll deposits.
Three years later?
IRS bill bigger than his liquor inventory.

Here’s what kills me:

• All preventable.
• All fixable.
• IF caught early.

That’s why every time I see a new bar open in San Diego, I’m not just thinking about their drink menu…
I’m wondering if they know what’s coming.

Because in San Diego?
Perfect weather and ocean views aren’t enough to save your business from an IRS storm.

Running a San Diego small business?
Not sure about your tax situation?

Schedule a Call and let’s make sure your business doesn’t become another “Closed Permanently” story I walk past.

Still missing those sunset happy hours,
Andrew “The Thirsty (Former) Sailor” Samaniego, EA

P.S. The IRS is especially thirsty for San Diego businesses right now. Their automated systems are flagging more local businesses than ever.

As I pack up for Easter at my parents’ mountain home (where wild bunnies apparently got the memo about the holiday), I can’t help but reflect on the patterns I’ve seen this tax season.

Let me break down what I’ve observed, and trust me, there’s a crucial lesson here about tax problems that might hit close to home.

The Good: The Tax Boy Scouts
Think of these clients as the financial equivalent of people who pack emergency kits in their cars – they’re prepared for everything.

What made them successful?

• W-2 workers: Updated their W-4s strategically
• Self-employed folks: Made estimated tax payments like clockwork
• Gig workers: Used bookkeeping apps religiously
• Result: Refunds or zero balance due

The Bad: The “Oops, I Forgot About Taxes” Club
These clients aren’t bad people – they just made some costly oversights.

Common mistakes:

• Raided retirement accounts without tax planning
• Sold investments without considering tax implications
• Expected tax magic (spoiler: tax returns are just report cards of past decisions)

The Ugly: The Ghosters
Here’s where things get concerning. A shocking 90% of my non-filers this year were people already dealing with tax problems.

The pattern:

• Already had unfiled returns
• Existing tax debt
• Ignored multiple outreach attempts
• Radio silence until… well, who knows?

Here’s the Truth Bomb:
Tax problems are like that check engine light you’ve been ignoring. It won’t fix itself, and the longer you wait:

• Penalties grow daily
• Interest compounds
• Collection actions escalate
• Resolution options diminish
• Costs to fix it multiply

Real Life Example:
Let’s talk numbers. A $50,000 tax debt from 2022:

• Original debt: $50,000
• After 1 year: $65,000 (with penalties and interest)
• After 2 years: $82,000
• After 3 years: $100,000+

That’s like paying for a luxury car but getting nothing in return.

The IRS isn’t like those wild bunnies in my parents’ backyard – they don’t hop away when ignored. They multiply your problems instead.

What You Can Do Right Now:

1. Stop avoiding the problem
2. Get a clear picture of what you owe
3. Understand your options
4. Create an action plan

[Schedule Your Free Consultation]

During your consultation, we’ll:

• Review your tax situation
• Calculate your actual debt
• Explore resolution options
• Create a strategic plan
• Discuss protection strategies

Remember: The IRS has a 10-year statute of limitations to collect. That’s a long time to look over your shoulder.

Don’t let tax problems haunt you while interest and penalties pile up. Let’s tackle this head-on.

[Book Your Free Consultation Now]

As I head to the mountains this Easter, I hope you’ll take this moment to face your tax challenges. Unlike those mountain bunnies, tax problems don’t make cute holiday mascots.

Ready to clear up your tax issues? Let’s talk.

Andrew Samaniego, EA
Your Tax Problem Solver

P.S. The best time to handle tax problems was yesterday. The second best time is now.

Let me share a story about unexpected disasters and the relief of finding help.

Yesterday, while preparing for my son’s birthday party, I experienced that sudden stomach-dropping moment we all dread. You know the one – where something goes terribly wrong and your mind immediately jumps to dollar signs.

My garage door crashed off its tracks, metal springs flying everywhere, all because a simple broom tipped over. In that moment, my mind raced with worst-case scenarios. Four figures? Five? How much would this set us back?

But here’s the thing – when the expert came this morning, what I thought would be a financial nightmare turned into a manageable $300 fix.

This reminded me of conversations I have every day with people facing IRS debt.

The Paralysis of Tax Debt

I see it constantly – good people dealing with:

• Sleepless nights
• Unopened IRS letters
• Constant anxiety about bank accounts being levied
• Fear of losing their business or home
• The shame of owing five, six, or even seven figures in back taxes

They’ve usually tried everything:

• Ignoring it (hoping it goes away)
• Making minimum payments (that barely touch the principal)
• Attempting to negotiate with the IRS themselves
• Living in constant fear of what comes next

Just like my garage door situation, they’re stuck imagining worst-case scenarios.

The Relief of Expert Help

But here’s what most people don’t know: Just like my $300 garage repair that I thought would cost thousands, tax debt often has solutions that are far more manageable than you’d expect.

Recent Client Example:

• Initial Tax Debt: $230,000
• Final Settlement: $12,000
• Relief: 95% reduction

Another Example:

• Initial Tax Debt: $87,000
• Final Settlement: $8,700
• Relief: 90% reduction

The Common Thread

In both cases, these clients waited years before reaching out. Years of stress, anxiety, and sleepless nights – all because they thought their situation was hopeless.

Don’t Wait Another Day

If you’re reading this while dealing with tax debt, ask yourself:

• How long have you been carrying this burden?
• What’s it costing you in stress and anxiety?
• What would it feel like to finally resolve this?

The First Step is Simple

Just like I called that garage door expert, your first step is just as straightforward. Schedule a free, confidential consultation with me. We’ll:

• Review your situation
• Explore your options
• Create a clear action plan
• Show you the light at the end of the tunnel

Click here to schedule your free consultation.

Remember: The IRS has programs designed to help taxpayers resolve their debt. But you need to know how to navigate them properly.

Don’t let another day pass carrying this burden alone. Let’s turn your tax nightmare into a success story.

P.S. That feeling of relief my garage door repair gave me? That’s what I deliver to my clients every day. Let’s talk about how we can do the same for you.