Payoff request

eDemand

You can submit a payoff request online. This is the quickest way to process a payoff request.

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A payoff request allows an authorized third party to receive the current balance due,  to release a lien or facilitate a business transfer (bulk sale transfer or liquor license). To release a lien or facilitate a bulk sale transfer, businesses must be in good standing to receive a payoff request.

Generally, only escrow, title, or mortgage companies submit a lien or business transfer payoff request.

Step 1. Gather information

Before you submit a payoff request, be sure to gather the following:

Lien payoff

Business transfer payoff (bulk sale or liquor license)

  • Escrow holder information
  • Seller information
  • Business being sold
  • Liquor license number
  • Buyer information

Step 2. Submit a payoff request

Once you’ve gathered all the information, you have a few options to submit a payoff request.

Online

Use eDemand to submit a payoff request online. This is the quickest option.

Fax or mail

Send us your payoff request by fax or mail on your business letterhead.

Lien payoffs

Be sure to include:

Fax
916-845-4389
Mail
Lien Program MS A456
Franchise Tax Board
PO Box 2952
Sacramento CA 95812-2952

Business transfer payoff (bulk sale or liquor license)

Be sure to include:

  • A copy of the liquor license or Notice to Refuse Transfer of Liquor License (liquor license hold) – if any
  • The information you gathered from Step 1.
Fax
916-843-0442
Mail
Business Transfers Program MS A450
Franchise Tax Board
PO Box 1468
Sacramento CA 95812-1468

Step 3. Receive a payoff letter

Once we process your request, we will send you the payoff amount in one of the following:

  • Demand for Payment of State Tax Lien
  • Liquor License Transfer Notice to Withhold

We may also include an order to withhold for any balances not included in the lien or bulk sales. This is a legal order that requires you to pay with any excess funds available.

If there is no payoff amount for a specific lien or hold, you may receive one or more of these letters or calls that:

  • The lien is in the process of being released
  • The lien has already been released
  • The lien has expired
  • The hold was released

Typical processing timeframes

Lien payoff

  • eDemand: 3 to 5 business days
  • Fax: 10 business days
  • Mail: 21 or more business days

Call us at 916-845-4350 if you have any questions.

Business transfer payoff (bulk sale or liquor license)

  • eDemand: 3 to 5 business days
  • Fax: 10 business days
  • Mail: 21 or more business days

Step 4. Mail the payment

Once you have funds available and the payoff request, mail us your payment.

Lien payoff

Send us the following:

  • The payment with your client’s SSN(s), FTB ID, or Business Entity ID
  • A copy of the Demand for Payment of State Tax Lien (payoff request)
  • Page 2 of the Order to Withhold (remittance copy) - if there was one
Mail
Franchise Tax Board
PO Box 942867
Sacramento CA 94267-0011
Overnight service (not priority mail)
Lien Program MS A456
Franchise Tax Board
Sacramento CA 95827

We will issue a release for the Notice(s) of State Tax Lien once the payment is posted.

If your client doesn’t have enough money to pay off all the liens or there are competing liens, visit Help with liens.

Business transfer payoff (bulk sale or liquor license)

Send us the following:

  • The cashier’s check or money order with your client’s SSN(s), FTB ID, or Business Entity ID
  • A copy of the payoff request (demand payoff)
Overnight service
Business Transfers Program MS A450
Franchise Tax Board
Sacramento CA 95827
Mail
Business Transfers Program MS A450
Franchise Tax Board
PO Box 1468
Sacramento CA 95812-1468

We will issue a release for the Notice(s) to Refuse Transfer of Liquor License once the payment is received.