Trusts & Taxes in the Golden State: Cracking the Code
Wednesday, March 18 @ 5:00 pm | City Club of SF
Featured Speakers: Chris Parker and Sonia Woodruff
* Please RSVP by March 16, 2026 *
Speakers
- Chris Parker, Baker Tilly and Sonia Woodruff, Franchise Tax Board
Topic
Trusts & Taxes in the Golden State: Cracking the Code
California’s rules for taxing trusts are complex, evolving, and often misunderstood. From residency determinations to contingent beneficiaries and fiduciary classifications, even experienced advisors can find themselves navigating uncertain territory.
Join us for a timely and practical program examining how California taxes trusts and estates. This session will unpack the statutory framework and recent developments shaping trust taxation and explore how those rules affect estate planners, accountants, fiduciaries, and advisors working with California clients.
The program features Sonia Woodruff and Chris Parker, who have deep expertise on both the government and advisory sides of trust taxation.
- Sonia Woodruff, Tax Counsel IV with the California Franchise Tax Board’s General Tax Bureau (GTB), brings a regulatory perspective from the agency responsible for administering and enforcing the Personal Income Tax Law as it applies to individuals and pass-through entities. The GTB also handles protests, appeals, litigation support, legislative review, public presentations, and interdepartmental coordination on tax issues within its jurisdiction. Sonia’s role provides direct insight into how California interprets and applies trust taxation rules in practice.
- Chris Parker, a Principal at Baker Tilly, advises executives, business owners, and individuals on complex state tax matters, including residency, wealth transfer planning, and strategic tax planning opportunities. Chris began his tax career with the California Franchise Tax Board before transitioning to private practice, bringing a valuable combination of government and advisory experience to his work with clients.
Together, Sonia and Chris will break down the key rules and emerging issues shaping California trust taxation today, including:
- Identifying who qualifies as a fiduciary under California law
- Evaluating contingent beneficiaries for California reporting purposes
- Understanding the evolving treatment of Incomplete Non-Grantor Trusts (INGs) and recent legislative developments
Agenda
- 5pm - 6pm: Networking, cocktails, and appetizers
- 6pm - 730pm: Meeting and content presentation
Cost
- $125 Members (pre-registered)*
- $185 Guests (pre-registered)*
*An additional $25 fee applies if you register at the door. Please also note that non-member attendance fees are $185 per monthly meeting, effective as of January 1, 2026.
About the Speakers
Chris Parker
Chris Parker is a tax principal with Baker Tilly who began his tax career at California’s Franchise Tax Board in 2004 and joined the firm in 2015. Chris works with executives, business owners, and individuals on matters including wealth transfer, compensation, residency, and planning opportunities.
Chris resolved the first matter for the firm to ever go before California’s Office of Tax Appeals, which provided substantial benefits to the clients. Chris works with business and individual clients at every level of administrative controversy.
Sonia Woodruff
Sonia D. Woodruff is an Attorney IV with the California Franchise Tax Board. Sonia has been with the Franchise Tax Board for fifteen years in the General Tax Law Division, focusing on all areas of Personal Income Tax law. Sonia is the Legal Department’s subject matter expert on the taxation of Trusts and Estates. Prior to public service, Sonia worked in private practice with an emphasis on probate, estate planning, tax planning and trust and estate litigation. She obtained her J.D. from the school formerly known as UC Hastings (now UC Law San Francisco) and her B.A. in English Literature from UC Berkeley.
Speaker Handout
CE Credit: This activity may be approved for continuing education credit by the State Bar of California and CFP Board. Certificates are provided after attendance.
Excused Absence: Members can request an excused absence in writing emailing us prior to the meeting.
Cancellations must be received three business days prior to the meeting.
