Section 21018.

(a) A person may file a claim with the board for reimbursement of charges or fees imposed on the person by an unrelated business entity as the direct result of an erroneous levy, erroneous processing action, or erroneous collection action by the board. Charges that may be reimbursed include an unrelated business entity's usual and customary charge for complying with the levy instructions and reasonable charges for overdrafts that are a direct consequence of the erroneous levy, erroneous processing action, or erroneous collection action and are paid by the person and not waived by the unrelated business entity or otherwise reimbursed. Each claimant applying for reimbursement shall file a claim with the board which shall be in such form as may be prescribed by the board. In order for the board to grant a claim, the board shall determine that all of the following conditions have been satisfied:

(1) The erroneous levy, erroneous processing action, or erroneous collection action was caused by an error made by the board.

(2) Prior to the erroneous levy, erroneous processing action, or erroneous collection action, the person responded to all contacts by the board and provided the board with any requested information or documentation sufficient to establish the person's position. This provision may be waived by the board for reasonable cause.

(3) The charge or fee has not been waived by the unrelated business entity or otherwise reimbursed.

(b) Claims pursuant to this section shall be filed within 90 days from the date of the erroneous levy, erroneous processing action, or erroneous collection action. Within 30 days from the date the claim is received, the board shall respond to the claim. If the board denies a claim, the claimant shall be notified in writing of the reason or reasons for the denial of the claim. The board may extend the period for filing a claim under this section.

(c) Charges and fees that may be reimbursed under the authority of this section are limited to the usual and customary charges and fees imposed by a business entity in the ordinary course of business.

(Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 349, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2006.)