FTB Relief FAQ – Most Common California Tax Questions Answered

Introduction: You’re Not Alone — Everyone Has FTB Questions

If you’re struggling with tax debt, the California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) can seem intimidating — and most taxpayers don’t know where to start.

At Boulanger CPA, we help clients across Orange County navigate FTB audits, collections, and settlement programs every day. And after dozens of consultations and hundreds of successful resolutions, we’ve identified the questions we hear most often.

This guide answers those FAQs — clearly, simply, and with real solutions that work.

Let’s dive in.

✅ Most Common FTB Relief Questions – Answered

Q1: What does it mean if I get a notice from the FTB?

A notice means the FTB believes you:

• Owe back taxes
• Missed a return filing
• Have unpaid interest or penalties
• Are being audited or subject to enforcement

This is your chance to avoid enforcement actions by responding promptly and preventing the situation from escalating.

👉 Received a Notice from the FTB? Here’s WhatIt Means

Q2: Can the FTB file a tax return for me?

Yes — it’s called a Substitute Return. If you fail to file, the FTB may create a return for you, often using inflated income and no deductions.

Understanding this process is part of learning to understand the steps the FTB takes to collect taxes so you can plan your response effectively.

👉 Can the FTB File a Return for You? (Substitute Returns in California)

Q3: Can the FTB garnish my wages or levy my bank account?

Absolutely — and faster than the IRS in many cases. The FTB uses an aggressive collection system and can:

• Garnish wages using a fixed exemption table
• Freeze your checking or savings account
• File a lien on property or your business

The right guidance can help you reduce penalties and interest with professional help while protecting your income and assets.

👉 How to Stop an FTB Bank Levy Before It Starts

Q4: How long does an FTB lien stay on my record?

Until it’s resolved. Even after you pay the debt, you must request a Certificate of Release and submit it to the appropriate agencies. Knowing how to learn the duration and removal process for liens can save you time and protect your credit profile.

👉 How Long Does an FTB Tax Lien Stay on Your Record?

Q5: Can I settle my California tax debt for less than I owe?

Yes — through the FTB Offer in Compromise program. You must:

• Be in full filing compliance
• Prove financial hardship
• Submit complete supporting documentation

With a CPA’s help, you can find the right tax relief program for your California FTB debt and improve your odds of approval.

👉 FTB Offer in Compromise Success Rates & Mistakes to Avoid

Q6: How is an FTB Offer in Compromise different from the IRS version?

The FTB has:

• Stricter review of assets
• Longer review timelines
• Less flexibility on home equity or projected income

👉 FTB vs IRS Offer in Compromise: What’s the Difference?

Q7: Do I need a CPA or can a tax preparer help me with FTB issues?

If you owe $10,000+ or face garnishment, suspension, or audit — you need a CPA.

👉 5 Signs You Need a CPA (Not Just a Tax Preparer) for FTB Issues

Q8: What happens if I ignore an FTB notice?

You may face:

• Wage garnishment
• Bank levy
• Business suspension
• Loss of appeal rights

👉 What Happens IfYou Ignore FTB Notices

Q9: Can I negotiate both IRS and FTB debt at the same time?

Yes — but each requires its own resolution. You’ll need:

• A clear strategy
• Coordinated documentation
• Representation with both agencies

👉 Can You Negotiate Both IRS and FTB Debt at the Same Time?

Q10: I’m a business owner. What happens if the FTB targets my company?

They can:

• Suspend your LLC or Corp
• File liens
• Levy accounts
• Collect CDTFA and EDD balances

👉 What to Do If the FTB Is Targeting Your Business

🧭 How Boulanger CPA Helps Orange County Taxpayers

We help clients across Irvine, Anaheim, Santa Ana, and Fullerton with:

• FTB audit and collection defense
• Filing late or corrected returns
• Offers in Compromise and payment plans
• Levy, lien, and wage garnishment resolution
• Business reinstatement or dissolution

📞 Call 657-218-5700
🌐 www.orangecounty.cpa

📣 About the Author

Marc Boulanger, CPA is the founder of Boulanger CPA and Consulting PC, a boutique tax resolution firm based in Orange County, California and trusted by high-income individuals and business owners across Southern California.

He is the author of Defend What’s Yours: A California Taxpayer’s Guide to Beating the IRS and FTB at Their Own Game, available now on Amazon. The book offers a step-by-step plan for resolving IRS and FTB tax debt without losing your business, your home, or your peace of mind.

With over a decade of experience resolving high-stakes IRS and State tax matters, Marc brings strategic insight to complex cases involving wage garnishments, bank levies, unfiled returns, and six-figure tax debts. He is known for helping clients reduce or eliminate tax liabilities through expertly negotiated settlements and compliance plans.

Marc is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in California and Oklahoma and holds the designation of Certified Tax Representation Consultant. He is a member of the American Society of Tax Problem Solvers (ASTPS) — the national organization founded by the educators and practitioners who have trained thousands of CPAs, EAs, and tax attorneys in IRS representation strategy.

Every case is handled with discretion, proven methodology, and direct CPA-led representation — not call center scripts.

📍 Learn more at www.orangecounty.cpa or call (657) 218-5700.