Bulk Sale Request

What is a Bulk Sale?

A Bulk Sale occurs when a business sells all or a substantial portion of its inventory, equipment, or assets outside the ordinary course of business. California law requires the buyer (transferee), seller (transferor), and escrow company to verify that all unsecured personal property taxes related to the business have been addressed before the sale can close.

Why is a Bulk Sale Request Needed?

  • To ensure that all outstanding unsecured property taxes have been paid.
  • To prevent the transfer of a business with unpaid tax liabilities.
  • To provide escrow officers with an official Tax Demand Notice from the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office.

What You’ll Need to Submit a Request

Please be prepared to provide the following information:

  • Transferor (seller) and transferee (buyer) names.
  • Business name and business address.
  • Escrow company, escrow officer, and escrow number.
  • Escrow closing date.
  • Business account number (Can be obtained by the Assessor’s Office).

Important Notes

  • A Tax Demand Notice will be generated by an Accounting Technician.
  • The demand amount represents any unpaid unsecured personal property taxes assessed on the lien date (January 1) of current year and may include an estimate for the next fiscal tax year.
  • This amount must be withheld from escrow proceeds and remitted to the Santa Cruz County Tax Collector before the escrow closing date.

How to Submit a Bulk Sale Request

  1. Download and complete the Bulk Sale Request Form.
  2. Attach any supporting documents required by escrow.
  3. Submit the completed form to the Santa Cruz County Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office: