California Names Biggest Tax-Dodging Businesses, Individuals in the State

The grumbling among fiscal conservatives is that California has some of the highest taxes in the nation, but according to a recent WalletHub study, it is among some of the lowest. But that didn't stop these individual and businesses from avoiding to pay some of those taxes.

Every three months, the state Board of Equalization publishes a list of the top tax-dodging businesses and individuals in the state. Its Top 500 Sales & Use Tax Delinquencies in California list is a roll call — or, more accurately a public shaming — of those who owe the most to the Golden State in the form of sales and use tax, according to the BOE.

This quarter, BOE officials say 39 names have been added to the list who owe a combined $23,818,571.93. The total amount owed by all 500 is $445,229,151.95.

The highest amount owed on the list is by the owners of a Mobile Gas Station in Carson, who the BOE says need to pay more than $6.5 million.

Here are the top 10 tax dodgers in the state. These businesses and individuals owe a combined $45,306,086.29.

M & Y SAFAR BROTHERS, INC
DBA LOMITA MOBIL
22240 AVALON BLVD
CARSON, CA 90745-3311
$ 6,577,459.58

MODULAR STRUCTURES INTERNATIONAL
920 CITRUS ST
RIVERSIDE, CA 92507-1711
$ 5,444,583.90

FARIBORZ TAVASSOL KASHANI
2440 FIRESTONE BLVD
SOUTH GATE, CA 90280-2610
$ 5,394,116.83

FRONTLINE IMPORTS, INC.
2400 FIRESTONE BLVD
SOUTH GATE, CA 90280-2649
$ 5,338,324.55

LYONS OF CALIFORNIA INC.
3000 J ST
SACRAMENTO, CA 95816-4402
$ 4,630,759.80

RICHARD W. P. SANG
3000 J ST
SACRAMENTO, CA 95816-4402
$ 4,093,182.84

RAMIREZ DEVELOPERS
DBA PACIFIC CEMENT
150 EXECUTIVE PARK BLVD STE 4300
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94134-3342
$ 3,724,267.50

ANDRE MARIO LARTIGAU
DBA VALUE AUTO SALES
1921 N BROADWAY
SANTA MARIA, CA 93454-1101
$ 3,446,559.86

21ST CENTURY OIL CORP.
462 STEVENS AVE STE 105
SOLANA BEACH, CA 92075-2065
$ 3,333,394.79

AUTO FIRST FINANCIAL CORP.
DBA SILICON VALLEY HUMMER
3939 STEVENS CREEK BLVD
SANTA CLARA, CA 95051-7156
$ 3,323,436.64

The list serves as a way to help coerce some businesses to get their taxes paid, and it appears to be working to a certain extent.

"Since the list began with the top 250 delinquencies in 2007, $16.71 million has been collected from 221 taxpayers," the BOE said when releasing its updated list. "A list of the top 500 tax delinquencies has been provided to participating state licensing agencies. Those on the list could have driver’s and other professional licenses suspended until they pay the amount owed or enter into a payment plan with the BOE."

According to the agency, each listed taxpayer is notified 30 days before their information is posted.

The Board of Equalization says that if your information has been posted in error, or you have questions about the list, please contact the agency at 916-445-5167.

Click Here to see the complete list of the Top 500 Delinquent Accounts.

Patch editor Renee Schiavone contributed to this story. Photo via Shutterstock