Kate Beckinsale -- California Cracks Down on Hilariously Tiny Tax Bill

11:03AM PDT: A rep from the California Employment Development Dept. tells TMZ ... they received Kate's payment for the full amount today, December 26, and the lien will now be extinguished.

The State of California is so desperate for money ... it's chasing down Kate Beckinsale over $1,052 she allegedly failed to pay in taxes this year -- a comically small sum in comparison to other Hollywood A-listers.

According to the tax lien, Beckinsale failed to pay the amount for the tax period from January 1, 2012 to March 31, 2012 -- clearly a clerical oversight by whoever manages her finances.

It's funny ... because Kate wipes her nose with more money than that ... but it goes to show how aggressive California tax collectors are.

In contrast, Pam Anderson allegedly owes $112,000 to California. Steven Seagal allegedly owes $335,606 to the Golden State.

In other tax news, Christina Milian allegedly owes Uncle Sam $17,458 in federal taxes ... a slightly more respectable sum ... but still smaller than Lindsay Lohan's six-figure bill.

We reached out to Kate's rep, who tells us Kate doesn't owe anything... and they believe there's been a mistake.