Santa Cruz County Businesses Listed Among Biggest Tax-Dodgers in California

The grumbling among fiscal conservatives is that California has some of the highest taxes in the nation, but according to a recent WalletHub study, it is among some of the lowest. But that didn't stop these individual and businesses from avoiding to pay some of those taxes.

Every three months, the state Board of Equalization publishes a list of the top tax-dodging businesses and individuals in the state. Its Top 500 Sales & Use Tax Delinquencies in California list is a roll call — or, more accurately a public shaming — of those who owe the most to the Golden State in the form of sales and use tax, according to the BOE.

This quarter, BOE officials say 39 names have been added to the list who owe a combined $23,818,571.93. The total amount owed by all 500 is $445,229,151.95.

The highest amount owed on the list is by the owners of a Mobile Gas Station in Carson, who the BOE says need to pay more than $6.5 million.

Two businesses from Santa Cruz are listed among those who owe taxes, according to the BOE.

MOSHE MORRY SHATZKI
DBA SHATZKI & CO.
2003 MISSION ST
SANTA CRUZ, CA
$ 855,205.80

LA ESPERANZA MERCADO CARNICERIA, INC
DBA LA ESPERANZA
341 OCEAN ST
SANTA CRUZ, CA
$ 427,060.86

No businesses from Capitola, Soquel, Watsonville or Scotts Valley are one the list.

Click Here to see the complete list of the Top 500 Delinquent Accounts.

By Alexander Nguyen (Patch Staff)

Photo via Shutterstock