2020 California Code
Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC
DIVISION 2 - OTHER TAXES
PART 1 - SALES AND USE TAXES
CHAPTER 3.5 - Vehicles, Vessels and Aircraft
ARTICLE 3 - Auxiliary Collection Provisions
Section 6295.

(a) When a vehicle required to be registered under the Vehicle Code is sold at retail by any dealer holding a license issued pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 11700) of Division 5 of the Vehicle Code, the dealer shall pay the applicable sales tax to the Department of Motor Vehicles acting for and on behalf of the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration pursuant to Sections 4456 and 4750.6 of the Vehicle Code.

(b) If the dealer makes an application to the Department of Motor Vehicles that is not timely, and is subject to penalty because of delinquency in effecting registration or transfer of registration of the vehicle, the dealer shall also be liable for penalty as specified in Section 6591, but no interest shall accrue.

(c) Application to the Department of Motor Vehicles by the dealer shall not relieve the dealer of the obligation to file a return with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration under Section 6452. The dealer shall file a return as specified in Section 6453.

(d) If the dealer fails to make an application to the Department of Motor Vehicles, fails to pay the amount of sales tax due, or fails to timely file a return with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration under Section 6452, interest and penalties shall apply with respect to the unpaid amount as provided in Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 6451).

(e) For purposes of this section, “dealer” shall not include a new motor vehicle dealer as defined by Section 426, a manufacturer or remanufacturer holding a license issued pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 11700) of Division 5, an automobile dismantler holding a license and certificate issued pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 11500) of Division 5, or a lessor-retailer holding a license issued pursuant to Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11600) of Division 5, and subject to the provisions of Section 11615.5.

(f) The Department of Motor Vehicles shall, through the adoption of regulations, establish any additional requirements for the implementation of this section.

(g) This section shall apply to sales of vehicles occurring on and after January 1, 2021.

(Amended by Stats. 2020, Ch. 14, Sec. 9. (AB 82) Effective June 29, 2020.)