Revenue and Taxation Code section 17138.7
(a)
For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2021, and before January 1, 2030, gross income shall not include any qualified amount received by a qualified taxpayer in the taxable year.(b)
For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:(1)
“Qualified amount” means any amount received from a settlement entity by a qualified taxpayer in connection with a qualified wildfire disaster in California.(2)
“Qualified taxpayer” means any of the following:(A)
Any taxpayer who owns real property located in an area damaged by a qualified wildfire disaster who paid or incurred expenses, and received qualified amounts from a settlement entity, arising out of or pursuant to the qualified wildfire disaster.(B)
Any taxpayer who resides within an area damaged by a qualified wildfire disaster who paid or incurred expenses, and received qualified amounts from a settlement entity, arising out of or pursuant to the qualified wildfire disaster.(C)
Any taxpayer who has a place of business within an area damaged by a qualified wildfire disaster who paid or incurred expenses, and received qualified amounts from a settlement entity, arising out of or pursuant to the qualified wildfire disaster.(3)
“Qualified wildfire disaster” means any disaster arising from a wildfire for which either the Governor has declared a state of emergency or the President of the United States has declared an emergency or major disaster as defined under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 5121 et seq.).(4)
“Settlement entity” means an entity making a settlement payment of a qualified amount to a qualified taxpayer.(c)
The settlement entity shall provide, upon request by the Franchise Tax Board or qualified taxpayer, documentation of the settlement payments in the form and manner requested by the Franchise Tax Board or the qualified taxpayer.(d)
The qualified taxpayer shall provide, upon request, all necessary information in the form and manner prescribed by the Franchise Tax Board.(e)
This section shall remain in effect only until December 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed.
Source:
Section 17138.7, https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=RTC§ionNum=17138.7. (updated Sep. 17, 2025; accessed Nov. 10, 2025).
