Disclaimer
This office does not handle: Unemployment Insurance Benefits (UI), State Disability Issues (SDI), Worker Compensation Issues, EDD Overpayments.
Reliable Orange County EDD Appeals Lawyer Ready To Assist You
In case you are not satisfied with the EDD assessment, it is necessary for you to file a petition with the Appeals Board.
The time period for filing such petitions is usually 30 days from the notification for an audit. Consult a skilled San Francisco, San Diego, or Orange County EDD appeals attorney so you don’t miss this important opportunity.
During the appeals process, the EDD is mandated under the law not to request or take any collection actions. Despite no collection taken, the interest of the unpaid proposed assessment still accrues.
There is a settlement option, similar to the CDTFA. The EDD is also in support of a settlement as it also advises the taxpayer to take that option and avoid all the stress and expenses associated with a formal hearing before an administrative law judge.
Experienced California EDD Appeals Lawyer Near You
Once an audit has been conducted and the results you receive contradict what your thought would be the outcome, it’s time to explore options to challenge the assessments.
While it is rare to find someone who is satisfied with an audit, it is also vital to request a proper assessment and review if you were not satisfied with the first one.
Business owners need to know the avenues available to them in order to petition against the Notice of Assessment and the penalties are levied.
A large EDD assessment can be very overwhelming to a business owner. You are not only facing this old tax liability but also continuing to remain current with existing tax liabilities.
Call Allison Soares, your Orange County EDD appeals attorney. Let a business lawyer in Orange County help you navigate the complex audit while you focus on your business.
Allison Soares practices tax and business law in California, including:
- EDD audits, appeals, and collections
- IRS tax matters and audits
- CDTFA audits
- FTB audits
- Business law (business advisory services)
- Business formation
- Corporate law
Allison Soares’s vast knowledge and experience in tax law, business formation, and corporate law gives her a competitive advantage to help your business succeed – helping you overcome the appeal and also helping you avoid it in the future with legal advice for how to best organize your business from a legal perspective.
Call today for a consultation!
EDD Appeals Tips
Clearly present your case with supporting evidence and legal arguments. An attorney can help craft a compelling narrative that aligns with EDD regulations
Ensure that any appeal is filed within the specific deadline provided by the EDD to avoid automatic denial of your appeal.
Common Mistakes That Are Observed During an Audit
- Lack of professional help. Sometimes business owners avoid seeking professional help and instead use their internal administrative staff to rectify the situation. Having a conversation with a skilled Orange County EDD appeals attorney will provide the best guidance through this process. Additionally, a lawyer has the ability to be an advocate for the business owner and can challenge the audit classification on behalf of the individuals. A free consultation with an experienced Orange County EDD appeals lawyer is the best way to inform you of what you’re facing with respect to your business and tax liability. Call Allison Soares today if you are facing an audit.
- Giving out both requested and non-requested information in an attempt to fully cooperate with the EDD. While the EDD will not request information that is unrelated to the documents needed for the audit, make sure you do not provide anything additional in an attempt to helpful. As such, if they do not request information, there is no reason to provide additional documentation.
- Not reviewing your federal income tax returns, bank statements, payroll records to determine if there is a discrepancy prior to meeting with the auditor.
- Sharing more than necessary. People tend to believe that being open to the EDD about how you conduct your business would bring them to your side. And as a result, they’ll be more likely to treat your assessment with sympathy. But this is not always the case. Before carrying out an assessment, the EDD reviews your worker classification status and your business transactions. Of course, you want to be polite with your EDD representative, but also be cautious and do not over-share information during your discussions. Remember, they are there to assess you with a penalty; not be your confidant.
- The “no one fights city hall” stance. It’s a widely known stance, and the EDD is expecting you to follow suit. However not fighting for yourself will result in a win for the EDD. So many taxpayers give up the opportunity to ensure that a proper assessment is done or even explore the benefit of a settlement option. It is very productive to challenge the EDD; this is a fact most people don’t know. Challenging the EDD can often lead to a reduction in the assessment and total elimination of certain EDD penalties. Resolving this issue prematurely gives the IRS an opportunity to do an assessment, which is 10 times larger than the one carried out by the EDD. Always seek professional advice within the 30-day time limit before deciding not to challenge the EDD.
- Giving up your negotiation power because you received an EDD assessment. Many taxpayers believe once the EDD issues an assessment, the power to reach for a settlement is lost. This is actually not true. The EDD has a small unit, commonly known as the Settlement Office, which takes care of settlements. An experienced San Francisco, San Diego, or Orange County EDD appeals attorney will tell you that a settlement is a better option than the expenses that would be incurred during a formal hearing. A good settlement will go a long way in canceling out the stress of a formal hearing.
Ways to Fight the EDD
The first step in fighting the EDD is to file an early petition with the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board (CUIAB). Once the final Notice of Assessment has been issued, you will receive a notification to file a petition within 30 days.
You can also send a letter to the CUIAB with an attachment of the Notice of Assessment, requesting a hearing. The letter should contain detailed reasons as to why you disagree with the assessment carried out by the EDD.
If using professional help from an EDD Appeals lawyer, they will likely file a more formal petition centered on the legal position and defense of the client.
Even if you do not use professional help, your petition to the Board must be filed in a timely manner. Late filing of petitions will be disastrous for your case and will give the EDD an advantage.
This could result in a closure of the assessment, and a collection of the assessed deficiency plus accrued interest. This will affect your business and lead to steep financial losses for you, as well as open you up to liens and levies.
Additionally, the IRS may enter the situation and offer an additional assessment that is higher than the one levied by the EDD. It is also essential for the prevention of liens and levies or seizures.
Also, note that even though the petition is filed early, there is no reduction or stoppage of interest accrued from an unpaid proposed assessment.
There are two options available after filing a petition: you can choose to settle the matter or have a professional assess the issue based on the evidence provided.
A prehearing statement is considered advantageous after filing a petition. The Settlement Office is an option for consideration, in the event when the business owner believes the audit can be solved without the expense incurred from going through a formal hearing by an administrative law judge (ALJ).
If left unsatisfied with the settlement decisions and the settlement offered by the EDD, you should request a full hearing by an administrative law judge.
You may also consider filing the petition and paying the assessment. This tactic will ensure that your case will become a refund proceeding.
Fully paying your assessment will allow you to make your case an automatic claim for a refund. In California, it is your right to have your refund matter heard in the Superior Court before going through any other court. If you avoid following this path, it will render your refund suit inconclusive and will be dismissed by the court.
For it to be heard by the Superior Court, it must pass through the Administrative Law Judge before the Superior Court judges on the matter.
Contact Our EDD Appeals Attorney in Orange County
There are numerous options available of you receive an EDD assessment that did not have a favorable result. Do not simply give up and think you do not have choices.
Consult with our San Francisco, San Diego, and Orange County EDD appeals lawyer to help you determine the best route to ensure your appeal is heard.
Call us directly or contact us through our online form today!
Frequently Asked Questions About EDD Appeals
How do I fight an EDD assessment?
The first step in fighting the EDD is to file an early petition with the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board (CUIAB). Once the final Notice of Assessment has been issued, you will receive a notification to file a petition within 30 days. You can also send a letter to the CUIAB with an attachment of the Notice of Assessment, requesting a hearing. The letter should contain detailed reasons as to why you disagree with the assessment carried out by the EDD. If using professional help from an EDD appeals lawyer, they will likely file a more formal petition centered on the legal position and defense of the client.
What is the deadline to file an EDD appeal?
You must file a petition within 30 days of the final Notice of Assessment being issued. It is critical to always seek professional advice within this 30-day time limit before deciding not to challenge the EDD. Missing this deadline can result in losing your right to challenge the assessment.
Can the EDD collect from me while I am appealing?
No. During the appeals process, the EDD is mandated under the law not to request or take any collection actions. However, despite no collection being taken, the interest on the unpaid proposed assessment still accrues during the appeal period.
Can I settle with the EDD instead of going to a hearing?
Yes. There is a settlement option available. The EDD has a small unit, commonly known as the Settlement Office, which takes care of settlements. The EDD is also in support of a settlement as it advises the taxpayer to take that option and avoid all the stress and expenses associated with a formal hearing before an administrative law judge. An experienced EDD appeals attorney will tell you that a settlement is often a better option than the expenses that would be incurred during a formal hearing.
What are common mistakes business owners make when facing an EDD assessment?
Common mistakes include: giving up your negotiation power because you received an EDD assessment — many taxpayers believe once the EDD issues an assessment, the power to reach for a settlement is lost, which is actually not true. Another mistake is the “no one fights city hall” stance — the EDD is expecting you to follow suit, but not fighting for yourself will result in a win for the EDD. Challenging the EDD can often lead to a reduction in the assessment and total elimination of certain EDD penalties. Resolving this issue prematurely also gives the IRS an opportunity to do an assessment, which is often significantly larger than the one carried out by the EDD.
