California Code, Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19553

(a) Subject to the limitations of subdivision (b) of this section and federal law, the Franchise Tax Board may permit the Director of Social Services or deputy directors to inspect the income tax returns of applicants for aid, recipients of aid, or responsible relatives, or in lieu of the inspection, the State Franchise Tax Board may provide the director or deputy directors an abstract of the income tax return requested, or supply information concerning any item of income contained in the return or disclosed by the report of any investigation of the income or return of the applicant for aid, recipient of aid or responsible relative.

(b) The right of the director or deputy directors to inspect income tax records or obtain the other information as provided in this section shall be limited to the records for the current year and the year preceding inspection of applicants or recipients of assistance under Division 9 (commencing with Section 10000) of the Welfare and Institutions Code, and the responsible relatives of the applicants or recipients. The information obtained pursuant to this section shall be used or disclosed only for the purpose of enabling the Director of Social Services or his or her deputy directors to verify or determine the eligibility or entitlement of an applicant for, or recipient of, public social services or the obligation of a responsible relative.

(c) The counties are authorized to request the information as provided in this section from the Director of Social Services or deputy directors. The director may release the information to the director of a county from which the applicant or recipient receives aid and the information shall be used or disclosed by the director of the county only for the purpose specified in subdivision (b).

(d) The applicant or recipient or responsible relative whose income tax records have been requested of the Franchise Tax Board shall be notified by mail that the request has been made at the time of the request.