Board of Equalization Member George Runner today issued the following statement in response to the Governor’s signing of Assembly Bill 1412, which fully reversed a controversial Franchise Tax Board staff decision to seek millions in retroactive taxes from California taxpayers:

“It’s no secret I’ve been highly critical of the Franchise Tax Board’s decision to assess five years and more than hundred million dollars in retroactive taxes against California small businesses and start-up investors.

“Thankfully this wrong was finally righted today with the Governor’s signature of Assembly Bill 1412.

“AB 1412 is the product of rare bipartisan legislative cooperation. It will ensure that taxpayers who followed the law in good faith will not be taxed retroactively for doing so.

“I commend all involved for their hard work in bringing about a fair and reasonable outcome for California taxpayers.”

Elected in November 2010, George Runner represents more than nine million Californians as a member of the State Board of Equalization. For more information, visit www.boe.ca.gov/Runner.

Editor’s note: Runner’s letters urging action on this issue are available online as pdfs: 2/5/13, 4/26/13, 5/30/13 and 9/23/13.