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HomeGovernment CodeDiv. 4Pt. 1Ch. 5Art. 3§ 16201 Controller Debt Collection Actions

§ 16201 Controller Debt Collection Actions

Government Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 16201 Controller Debt Collection Actions

Key Takeaways

  • •If you owe the state money and don't pay, the Controller can ask you to pay it back.
  • •If selling your stuff won't cover what you owe, the state can take money from your estate after you die.
  • •The state can sell your property to get the money you owe.

Example

If you owe the state money for taxes and ignore the bills, the state can take your car or house and sell it to get the money back.

The state can ask you to pay what you owe. If you don't, they can sell your things to get their money.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 16201 Controller Debt Collection Actions

If the Controller, by reason of the notice described in Section 3375 of the Revenue and Taxation Code or by reason of information from any other source, determines that all amounts owing under Article 1 (commencing with Section 16180) of this chapter have become due and payable pursuant to Section 16190, the Controller may, in addition to the options provided in Section 16200, take any of the following actions which will best serve the interest of the state: (a) The Controller may demand payment of such amount from any person liable therefor. (b) If the Controller has reasonable cause to believe that sale of the property will not satisfy the amount secured by the state’s lien, the Controller may file a claim against the estate of any decedent whose property is liable for such amount or the Controller may request the Attorney General to bring an action under Section 2931c of the Civil Code to recover the amount of the state’s lien. (c) The Controller may direct the Department of General Services to sell such property pursuant to Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 14735) of Part 5.5 of Division 3 of this title or, if applicable, Division 9 (commencing with Section 9101) of the Commercial Code. (Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 991, Sec. 46.1. Effective January 1, 2000. Operative July 1, 2001, by Sec. 75 of Ch. 991.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

ControllerArticle 1Section 16190state’s lienSection 2931c of the Civil Code

Related Statutes

  • § 12440 State Treasury Payment Warrants
  • § 16200 State Property Auction Bidding
  • § 16202 State Property Management Authority
  • § 12402 Controller Office Organization
  • § 12403 Controller Oath Administration

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Government Code. Section 16201.
View Official Source