You may be wondering how sales tax rates are set and why they seem to vary across the state. Here is a brief review of the sales and use tax and then we will break down how California sets its sales tax rate and the various elements that impact the rate.
California State Tax
CDTFA Sales Tax Audits
The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration auditor will always make sure to distinguish between sales and use tax. Generally, the sales tax is the liability of the seller, whereas the use tax is the liability of the purchaser.
A retailer who consumes merchandise purchased for resale under a valid resale certificate or any person who consumes merchandise purchased from a retailer, the sale of which is exempt from sales tax (in contrast to CDTFA sales tax audits), is liable for the use tax on the cost of the property purchased.
In the case of a use tax, purchaser is liable until he or she paid the tax to the state or to a vendor who is authorized or required to collect the use tax and who must issue a receipt to the purchaser.
If the purchaser certifies in writing to a seller that the property purchased will be used in a manner as to entitle the seller to treat gross receipt form the sale as exempt from the sales tax, but purchaser actually uses the property in some other manner and for some other purpose, then the purchaser will be liable for sales tax as if purchaser was the seller in the original transaction.
Employment Development Department Installment Agreement – Part Two
If an entity which enters into long-term agreement is a corporation, LLC or an LLP, and the remaining balance is more than $10,000 of overall assessable tax liability amount, a form DE 204 must be filed. DE 204 establishes liability of corporate responsible persons in regards to assessed tax liability of the corporation.
In any case, EDD will also require written explanation of how the liability was created. EDD also will require financial statements, personal or business, with documentation regarding financial status such as loan denials, tax returns, bank statements, accountant’s financial reports, etc.
EDD may require additional supporting documentation regarding financial statement entries. Long-term agreement must be approved by EDD’s lead senior tax compliance representative or tax compliance supervisor.
Employment Development Department Installment Agreement – Part One
Under California law, taxpayers have a legal obligation to report and pay contributions and withholdings when due. If a taxpayer becomes delinquent in the payment of amounts due, the Employment Development Department (EDD) will take appropriate action to collect the full amount immediately.
The EDD recognizes that sometimes it is in the best interest of the state and in the interest of a California taxpayer that EDD allows an installment agreement to liquidate over a period of time an amount owed by taxpayer.
Employee Payroll Taxes: How the EDD Handles Misclassified Workers
Managing employee payroll taxes can get quite complicated, with a number of areas being particularly opaque. One of those is the question of employee classification; is a person properly classified as a worker or an independent contractor?
Misclassifying workers as independent contractors carries with it some significant consequences, including penalties and even potential fraud prosecution, so it is a topic worth exploring in some detail.
Why Do I Owe State Taxes This Year? (& Why so Much?) 2022 Guide
If you haven’t had to pay any state taxes for the past few years but now face a liability, you might be wondering, why do I owe state taxes this year? It’s a pretty common question that many taxpayers struggle to find the answer to.
You may not even be aware that you owe state taxes this year. It all depends on how your income has changed over the previous year and whether you still have any credits or deductions available to you that were used previously to reduce your taxes.
California Payroll Tax: SUI, ETT, SDI & PIT Employer Guide
The California payroll tax structure for an employer in this state is based on four distinct taxes, commonly referred to as the CA SUI, ETT, SDI, and PIT payroll taxes. There are different rates for each of these taxes and the calculation methods are different as well.
California Payroll Tax Appeals – Part Two
During an appeal, the taxpayer should prepare and file a pre-trial brief or memorandum of points and authorities, in which he or she describes the relevant law and its application to his or her case in support of of it.
The taxpayer may want to locate and interview helpful witnesses, including workers previously interviewed by EDD, principals of the business and its management employees.