California Department of Tax and Fee Administration
Announces New Taxpayers' Rights Advocate

Sacramento — The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) announced the selection of Alfred Buck as the Department's new Taxpayers' Rights Advocate and Small Business Liaison.

CDTFA's Taxpayers' Rights Advocate Office assists taxpayers who are unable to resolve a matter through normal channels, when they want information regarding procedures, or when there are potential rights violations in an audit or the collection of taxes or fees.

Mr. Buck, a resident of Folsom, started his career with the Board of Equalization in 2001 as a tax auditor. He has been in the Advocate's Office for more than 13 years, serving as the Advisor to the Advocate since 2017. Prior to joining CDTFA, he was an audit manager for criminal investigations with the South African Revenue Service. Mr. Buck succeeds Claudette Yang, who retired in 2024.

“California taxpayers will have an experienced and dedicated champion to help them navigate their business taxes,” said CDTFA Director Trista Gonzalez. “Alf and his team in the Taxpayers' Rights Advocate Office play a vital role in making sure that taxpayers always have a powerful voice inside the Department.”

Mr. Buck holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration/Management Accounting, a post-graduate Certificate in Advanced Taxation and Accounting, both obtained in South Africa, and a master's degree in international taxation from Regent University School of Law, Virginia.

The Taxpayers' Rights Advocate Office is responsible for hosting the 2025 Taxpayers' Bill of Rights Meeting. The annual meeting is an opportunity for the public to present ideas, discuss issues, express concerns, and share recommendations related to the administration of the Department's tax and fee programs. The next meeting is scheduled for August 28, 2025.

The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) administers California's sales and use, fuel, tobacco, alcohol, cannabis taxes, and other taxes and fees that fund specific state programs. CDTFA-administered programs accounted for more than $96.2 billion last fiscal year, supporting essential local services such as transportation, public safety and health, libraries, schools, social services, and natural resource management programs through the distribution of tax dollars going directly to local communities.