Former State Senator George Runner is a member of the California State Board of Equalization, or BOE.

Runner says the visits, which rotate periodically throughout the state, are intended to increase compliance with tax laws...  

"…to go out and help businesses to find if they've got the proper permits, answer questions that they may have about their unique business to make sure that they don't end up with a large tax liability in the future that can be devastating to them."

The BOE is mailing letters to 5,916 business owners in Galt and Lodi…as well as Ventura in Southern California. The letters tell business owners about the possibility of an in-person visit from Statewide Compliance and Outreach Program or "SCOP" teams.

The BOE says only two-percent of California businesses are out-of-compliance with tax laws…but along with under-reporting by taxpayers, it costs the state $2 billion in uncollected taxes.