JOHN CHIANG

CHAIRMAN, STATE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION 4TH DISTRICT, CALIFORNIA STATE CONTROLLER-ELECT

Take 10 | Full biography

Since first elected to the Board of Equalization in 1998, John Chiang has provided innovative leadership with his ground-breaking ideas and taxpayer-friendly services to build a brighter financial future for thousands of Californians.

As one of California’s twelve constitutional officers, John is the highest-ranking Asian-American officeholder in the state.  He was elected to his second four-year term in 2002.  In December 2004, his colleagues unanimously voted John chair of the BOE.  He represents the BOE on the Franchise Tax Board and as chair of the Streamlined Sales Tax Project’s Board of Governors. 

John represents the BOE’s 4th District, which contains 73 cities in Los Angeles County, including the City of Los Angeles.  The population of his district exceeds 8.5 million. 

Strong in his belief that informed taxpayers make better decisions for the financial health of their families, businesses, and communities, John creates and expands innovative tax seminars to guide small businesses, non-profit organizations and religious institutions in understanding the state and federal tax codes.  These programs provide access to information and services for those without the time, expertise, or resources to study the laws, rules, and regulations applicable to their circumstances.

Providing a boost to small businesses, John and the BOE sponsor events where experts from various government agencies explain in clear and concise language compliance issues, the latest tax laws, policies, rules, and regulations.  These seminars provide entrepreneurs with the tools to grow their businesses and prosper.  

Individuals benefit from the free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Homeowner and Renter Assistance tax preparation services John’s office provides.  Trained members of his staff assist senior citizens, low-income families, and the disabled file their income taxes and apply for homeowner or renter assistance.  John also sponsors financial literacy programs to provide the tools for Californians to make a better life for their families. 

John has sponsored more proposals signed into law than any member in the Board’s 127-year history.  These measures produced tax relief for innocent spouses and those medically unable to manage their own affairs, allowed non-profit tax-exempt organizations that operate as a limited liability company to be eligible for the welfare property tax exemption; and increased the accessibility of electronic tax filing.

Tackling the problem of the underground economy, which cheats Californians out of millions of dollars in revenue every year, John held the first enforcement seminar for business and labor, and commissioned the BOE’s prosecution handbook and CD with guidelines for prosecuting attorneys.        

John has compiled an extraordinary record of public service going back decades.  In recognition of his efforts, John has received numerous awards and distinctions, including the 2006 Award for Excellence by a Government Official from the Los Angeles County Bar Association; two Congressional Record tributes; the Leadership Vanguard Award from the Millennium Momentum Foundation; the Minorities in Business Magazine Multi-Cultural Prism Award; the City of West Hollywood Leadership and Service Award; and the Los Angeles Mayor’s Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Award. 

John graduated with honors from the University of South Florida with a degree in Finance, and received his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.  He began his career as a Tax Law Specialist with the Internal Revenue Service and served as an attorney with the Office of the State Controller.