Betty T. Yee Announces Simpler Sales Tax Regulation for Food Trucks

San Francisco, Ca – Tired of digging in your pockets for change when it comes to buying from your favorite food truck? Well, the next time you step up for that bacon-encrusted, grilled-cheese sandwich, you might not have to thanks to a newly amended regulation from the California State Board of Equalization (BOE) announced Betty T. Yee, First District Member of the BOE.

Starting July 1, 2014, a newly amended regulation will presume sales tax is included in the price of taxable items if the retailer hasn’t added it separately. Adopted unanimously by the Board at its March 25, 2014 meeting, the newly amended regulation saves food truck operators the hassle of charging their customers a different sales tax rate as they drive from city to city. The Board approved this amendment with the hope of simplifying the business practices of owners in the ever-expanding food truck segment, while simplifying the sales process for the public.

Mobile food venders who want to learn more about doing business in the state of California can check out our Mobile Food Vendors Tax Guide, which is available in multiple languages,and our Guide for Caterers. They can also view the Special Notice on the amended sales tax regulation. Food truck operators also have access to our online tax rate lookup tool that allows them to enter the addresses of where they did that day’s business and find the applicable sales tax rates.

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Board Member Betty T. Yee was elected to her post in November 2006. Her district includes many of California’s coastal counties, from Del Norte to Santa Barbara, and includes the entire San Francisco Bay Area. Ms. Yee previously served as Chief Deputy Director for Budget at the California Department of Finance, covering a wide array of state and local finance policy matters.

The five-member California State Board of Equalization (BOE) is a publicly elected tax board. The BOE collects $56 billion annually in taxes and fees supporting state and local government services. It hears business tax appeals, acts as the appellate body for franchise and personal income tax appeals, and serves a significant role in the assessment and administration of property taxes. For more information on other taxes and fees in California, visit www.taxes.ca.gov.