CALCRIM No. 2827. Concealing Property With Intent to Evade Tax (Rev. & Tax. Code, § 19705(a)(4))
Judicial Council of California Criminal Jury Instructions (2023 edition)
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2827.Concealing Property With Intent to Evade Tax (Rev. & Tax.
Code, § 19705(a)(4))
The defendant is charged [in Count ] with (removing[,]/ [or]
depositing[,]/ [or] concealing) property with intent to evade a tax [in
violation of Revenue and Taxation Code section 19705(a)(4)].
To prove that the defendant is guilty of this crime, the People must
prove that:
1. The defendant (removed[,]/ [or] deposited[,]/ [or] concealed)
(property[,]/ [or] goods[,]/ [or] commodities);
<Alternative 2A - concealment of goods or commodities to avoid tax>
[2. A tax was (imposed on/ [or] legally authorized for) the (goods/
[or] commodities);]
<Alternative 2B - concealment of property to avoid levy>
[2. A levy was legally authorized against the property;]
AND
3. When the defendant acted, (he/she) intended to unlawfully (evade/
[or] defeat) the (assessment/ [or] collection) of [a] (tax[,]/
additions to a tax[,]/ penalty[,]/ [or] interest) imposed under the
tax laws.
[To levy property means to seize, attach, or garnish the property as
payment for a debt owed. A levy is legally authorized against property if:
1. The Franchise Tax Board has assessed a tax against the
defendant and sent the defendant a notice demanding payment;
2. The defendant has neglected or refused to pay;
AND
3. The defendant owns the property that is the subject of the levy.]
[As used here, a person removes an item when he or she takes it from
the place [where it was made and] where a tax was supposed to be
assessed and paid on the item.]
New January 2006
BENCH NOTES
Instructional Duty
The court has a sua sponte duty to give this instruction defining the elements of the
crime.
692
Revenue and Taxation Code section 19705(a)(4) applies to two situations: (1) when
a person conceals or removes goods or commodities that are subject to taxation in
order to prevent paying the tax owed on those goods; and (2) when a person who
has failed to pay a tax owed conceals property that the government has the right to
levy as payment for the tax.
In element 2, give alternative 2A if the defendant is charged with concealing goods
or commodities to avoid a tax assessment. Give alternative 2B and the bracketed
definition of “levy” if the defendant is charged with concealing property to avoid a
levy. (United States v. Swarthout (6th Cir. 1970) 420 F.2d 831, 833-835.)
Depending on the legal basis of the levy, the court may need to add additional items
to the explanation of “legally authorized.” (See Rev. & Tax. Code, § 19705(a)(4)
and statutes cited therein on when a levy is legally authorized.)
Give the bracketed definition of “remove” if the defendant is charged with removing
goods or commodities subject to taxation. (Price v. United States (5th Cir. 1945)
150 F.2d 283, 285.) Give the bracketed phrase “where it was made” if the defendant
is charged with removing an item from the site of manufacture. (Ibid.)
Revenue and Taxation Code section 19705(a)(4) also penalizes anyone “concerned
in removing, depositing, or concealing” property. If the defendant is charged with
“being concerned in” the conduct, the court should instruct on aiding and abetting.
(See CALCRIM No. 400, Aiding and Abetting: General Principles, et seq.)
Defenses - Instructional Duty
If there is sufficient evidence to raise a reasonable doubt that the defendant had a
good faith belief that his or her conduct was legal, the court has a sua sponte duty
to give the instruction on this defense. (People v. Hagen (1998) 19 Cal.4th 652, 660
[80 Cal.Rptr.2d 24, 967 P.2d 563].) Give CALCRIM No. 2860, Defense: Good
Faith Belief Conduct Legal.
If there is sufficient evidence to raise a reasonable doubt that the defendant relied on
the advice of a professional, the court has a sua sponte duty to give the instruction
on this defense. (United States v. Mitchell (4th Cir. 1974) 495 F.2d 285, 287-288;
see Federal Jury Practice and Instructions, Criminal (5th ed.) § 67.25.) Give
CALCRIM No. 2861, Defense: Reliance on Professional Advice.
AUTHORITY
• Elements. Rev. & Tax. Code, § 19705(a)(4).
• Concealment to Avoid Levy: Tax Must Have Been Assessed. United States v.
Swarthout (6th Cir. 1970) 420 F.2d 831, 833-835; United States v. Minarik (6th
Cir. 1989) 875 F.2d 1186, 1195.
• Removal Defined. Price v. United States (5th Cir. 1945) 150 F.2d 283, 285.
TAX CRIMES CALCRIM No. 2827
693
RELATED ISSUES
Physical Concealment Not Required
A defendant may “conceal” property for the purposes of this statute by making a
false record that he or she does not own the property. (United States v. Bregman (3d
Cir. 1962) 306 F.2d 653, 654-655.)
SECONDARY SOURCES
2 Witkin & Epstein, California Criminal Law (4th ed. 2012) Crimes Against
Governmental Authority, § 137.
6 Millman, Sevilla & Tarlow, California Criminal Defense Practice, Ch. 140,
Challenges to Crimes, § 140.02 (Matthew Bender).
CALCRIM No. 2827 TAX CRIMES
694
© Judicial Council of California.
