California Tax Release Authorization is a legal document that allows an individual or entity to authorize the release of specific tax information to designated third parties. This authorization grants the recipient the authority to access and review the taxpayer's confidential tax records maintained by the California Franchise Tax Board (FT). The California Tax Release Authorization serves as a safeguard to protect taxpayers' privacy while facilitating the process of sharing tax-related information with authorized individuals or organizations. The California Franchise Tax Board offers different types of Tax Release Authorizations to meet various needs. These authorizations include: 1. Individual Tax Release Authorization: This type of authorization allows an individual taxpayer to grant permission for a specified person or entity to access and examine their personal tax information. It is commonly used for situations where an individual taxpayer needs to share their tax details with a tax preparer, attorney, or financial advisor. 2. Business Tax Release Authorization: This authorization is specifically designed for businesses, allowing authorized individuals or entities to access and review the tax records related to a particular business entity. It is commonly utilized when a business owner needs to provide tax information to their accountant, tax advisor, or business partner. 3. Representative Tax Release Authorization: This type of authorization enables a taxpayer to designate a representative who can act on their behalf and have access to their tax information. The representative can be an individual, such as a family member or trusted friend, or a professional entity, such as an accountant, attorney, or enrolled agent. The representative can assist the taxpayer in resolving tax issues, responding to inquiries from the FT, or handling related matters. 4. Estate and Trust Tax Release Authorization: This specific authorization is designed for estates and trusts, allowing the authorized party to access and examine the tax records associated with the trust or estate. It is commonly utilized when a trustee or executor needs to share tax-related information with legal professionals, beneficiaries, or financial advisors. In all cases, the authorized individuals or entities must adhere to strict confidentiality standards and use the tax information solely for the purpose specified in the authorization. The California Tax Release Authorization ensures that taxpayers have control over their personal tax information while providing a mechanism for sharing it when necessary. It offers a secure and legally compliant means of streamlining the process of accessing and disclosing confidential tax records, while maintaining privacy and protection.