Frequently Asked Questions

By G. Rick "Rick" Marshall

Frequently asked questions about the State Board of Equalization, my candidacy and the campaign.

The State Board of Equalization is like the IRS of California responsible for collecting taxes and fees other than the income tax. It is the only publicly elected tax commission in the United States. The five member board consists of four members elected by district and the state controller. The entire board is up for election every time the governor is.

WHAT DOES THE STATE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION DO?

The State Board of Equalization administers more than 30 separate taxes or fees. It collects $56 billion a year which is about a third of our state's tax revenue, with the largest portion from sales tax.

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR BOARD OF EQUALIZATION?

We're overtaxed in California. We have the highest income tax and the 4th highest sales tax. We need to simplify our tax system and reduce the tax burdens on hardworking wage-earning middle-class families and businesses.

I'm running to be the third vote for a low-tax majority on the Board. Changing the makeup of the Board will begin the change to lowering taxes and removing burdensome regulations that damage our economy and standard of living and keep people from succeeding.

HOW CAN THE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION REDUCE TAXES?

The Board has discretion to set the value of items taxed. By understanding the burdens on taxpayers, we can set the value for optimal revenue and still reduce taxes. Elect me, I'll tip the balance of the board to a low tax majority.

WHAT IS YOUR EXPERIENCE IN THE TAX INDUSTRY?

I worked at CCH Computax, the largest tax return preparation company at the time, for almost a decade. I worked with CPAs, modifying computer programs to calculate tax returns for both Federal and State taxes-including California with special emphasis on corporate and partnership tax returns.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO ON THE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION?

My platform is straightfoward:

• Simplify the tax code. Make it easier to do business in California.
• Lower taxes for hard-working Californians.
• Deliver efficient government services with more and better technology.

WHAT ARE YOUR QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE BOARD?

I know what it's like to file those complicated Board of Equalization sales tax forms. I've been a small business owner for 20 years, from a coin-operated laundry in Long Beach, to running my own software development and consulting firm.

I'm now a software developer in Information Technology Department at the University of California Irvine Medical Center. Think of me as a "tech guy for the tax board".

WHAT IS YOUR RECORD ON TAX POLICY?

I'm a taxpayer advocate. Everyone says it, but I live it. I'm Chief Financial Officer for the California Taxpayers Action Network. We ensure that tax money is not wasted.

I have a real, proven record as a tax fighter. The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, authors of Proposition 13 that protects you from high property taxes, endorses my run for Board of Equalization. I, too, am a strong supporter and defender of Proposition 13.

WHY IS TAX SIMPLIFICATION SO IMPORTANT?

Companies are leaving our state or expanding elsewhere. Take Tesla, the electric car manufacturer for example. They're located in Palo Alto but building their new hi-tech, state of the art battery factory in Nevada. Let's turn that around. Simplify the tax code. Reduce our high taxes. Bring the efficiency of technology to our tax system.

WHY IS REDUCING TAXES SO IMPORTANT?

So you can keep more of the money you earn. As a husband, father, and homeowner, I face the same challenges we all face with the impact of excessive gasoline, property, utility and sales taxes on our family budgets. As a member of the State Board of Equalization, I will help you keep more of your money and minimize the impact on your family budget by reducing the taxes we all pay.

WHAT CAN THE STATE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION DO FOR ME?

It can mitigate the negative impact of tax increases on your job, family and standard of living.

Next January, when the carbon tax is imposed on refiners is passed on to consumers, gas prices will skyrocket anywhere from 20 to 60 cents per gallon. Our low tax majority can mitigate the damage by lowering the excise tax. The current high tax majority won't. They want your money!