(a) At least 30 days prior to the filing or recording of liens under Chapter 14 (commencing with Section 7150) or Chapter 14.5 (commencing with Section 7220) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code, the board shall mail to the taxpayer a preliminary notice. The notice shall specify the statutory authority of the board for filing or recording the lien, indicate the earliest date on which the lien may be filed or recorded, and state the remedies available to the taxpayer to prevent the filing or recording of the lien. In the event tax liens are filed for the same liability in multiple counties, only one preliminary notice shall be sent.

(b) The lien shall not be filed or recorded if the taxpayer demonstrates to the board by substantial evidence, within 30 days after receiving the notice, that a filing or recording of a lien would be in error. The preliminary notice required by this section shall not apply to jeopardy assessments authorized by Article 5 (commencing with Section 19081) of Chapter 4 of Part 10.2.

(c) If after filing or recording the lien, the board determines that its action was in error, it shall mail a release to the taxpayer and the entity recording the lien as soon as possible, but not later than seven working days, after this determination or the receipt of the lien recording information, whichever is later. The release shall contain a statement that the lien was filed in error. If the erroneous lien is obstructing a lawful transaction, the board shall immediately issue a release of lien to the appropriate party. Upon the request of the taxpayer, a copy of the release shall be mailed to the major credit reporting companies in the county where the lien was filed.

(d) The procedures described in subdivision (c) shall apply to liens that are filed or recorded in either of the following ways:

(1) Not in accordance with administrative procedures.

(2) After the taxpayer has entered into an installment payment agreement under Section 19008 to satisfy the tax liability for which the lien was filed or recorded, unless the agreement provides for the filing or recording of the lien.

(e) If after filing or recording the lien, the board determines that a release of the lien will facilitate the collection of the tax liability or will be in the best interest of the taxpayer and the state, it shall mail a release of that lien to the taxpayer and the entity recording the lien. If the lien is obstructing a lawful transaction and its release will facilitate the collection of the tax liability, or will be in the best interest of the taxpayer and the state, the board shall immediately do both of the following:

(1) Issue a release of lien to the appropriate party.

(2) Upon the request of the taxpayer, mail a copy of the release to the credit reporting companies, financial institutions, or any creditor whose name and address is provided by the taxpayer.

(f) This section shall not limit the circumstances in which the Franchise Tax Board may release a lien. The Franchise Tax Board may release a lien under any circumstances to facilitate the collection of the tax liability or, if that release is in the best interest of the taxpayer and state, and take any action associated with the release of that lien it deems appropriate.

(g) The amendments made by the act adding this subdivision are operative on or after January 1, 1998.

(Amended by Stats. 1997, Ch. 600, Sec. 16. Effective January 1, 1998.)