This is the month that the State of California Franchise Tax Board has opened up for you to file for tax amnesty. So, if you haven't filed tax returns for a year or more; or if you owe Ah-nold money, RUN, don't WALK to the nearest tax amnesty application (good for income tax and sales & use tax). http://www.ftb.ca.gov/amnesty/

Don't worry, you don't have to complete and file the returns right now. Just postmark the application by March 31st. You have until May 31st to get your returns filed.

It's well worth doing. If you get approved for the amnesty, the State will cancel most your penalties and collections fees - and the interest due on those amounts.

You DO have to pay the tax to get the benefit of the amnesty. But if you don't have the money right now, you may set up an installment agreement - as long as you pay it all in full by June 30, 2006. (If you're still short in June 2006 - BORROW the money. It will be cheaper than having all the penalties reinstated.)