Assessment vs Collections: What’s the Difference?

Categories: California Tax Law

Assessment of an attorney

Assessment vs Collections: What’s the Difference? Many successful business owners, attorneys, doctors, accountants have called me and said “money has just been taken from my business account and I don’t know what’s going on.” This is one of the biggest issues business owners and taxpayers have when confronted by a tax agency. Sometimes it is...

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Why Should I Care About an EDD Audit?

Categories: California Tax Law

Why Should I Care About an EDD Audit? Did you know that as a business owner, you can be held personally liable for payroll taxes of workers you consider to be independent contractors?  That’s right! If you’re a San Francisco business owner and you’ve ever hired an independent contractor, you may want to familiarize your...

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California Payroll and Tax Requirements for Businesses

Categories: California Tax Law

Payroll in California.

California Payroll and Tax Requirements for Businesses If you’re a business in California, be prepared to comply with state payroll and tax requirements. Businesses with one or more employees need to follow specific guidelines set forth by the Employment Development Department (EDD) to assure they are complying with requirements such as paid sick leave and...

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How do I Handle an FTB Audit and Protest?

Categories: California Tax Law

CA flag

How do I Handle an FTB Audit and Protest? If you’re a California resident or taxpayer, you’ve likely owed money to the Franchise Tax Board (FTB) at some point in your life. The job of the FTB is to administer the California Revenue and Taxation Code. Essentially, the FTB collects the tax money you owe...

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What is the Role of an IRS Auditor?

Categories: IRS

What is the Role of an IRS Auditor? When the words “IRS auditor” are mentioned, so many people conjure up an image of an individual sitting amongst stacks of paperwork with intense scrutiny and big red AUDIT stamps. While audits can be nerve-wracking, understanding the role of an IRS auditor can help put your mind...

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Spotting ERC Scams: Warning Signs and Red Flags You Need to Know

Categories: IRS

Spotting ERC Scams: Warning Signs and Red Flags You Need to Know During the years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government tried to incentivize businesses to continue paying their employees by providing the Employee Retention Credit (ERC). This was part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The ERC was a  refundable...

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5 Red Flags That May Trigger an IRS Audit

Categories: IRS

A red flag with a clear blu sky at the back.

Red Flags That May Trigger an IRS Audit The word “audit” is sure to strike fear in most individual taxpayers and business owners. After all, nobody wants to receive a letter from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) stating their tax returns and financial matters are being investigated. While you can’t predict exactly when the IRS...

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Make Sure You Know the Three California Tax Agencies

Categories: California Tax Law

Make Sure You Know the Three California Tax Agencies Many people find it hard to believe that, in the state of California, there are three separate taxing agencies. In Wisconsin, there’s the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. In New York, it’s the New York Department of Revenue. Most other states have one agency that handles their...

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Can the IRS Audit a Dissolved Business?

Categories: IRS

Can the IRS Audit a Dissolved Business? I’m often asked by business owners whether the IRS can audit a business once it’s closed or dissolved. Like with many tax law questions, the answer is: A business can be audited after it closes because audits, tax returns, and claims often occur after the business has dissolved....

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Is VPDI Deductible on Schedule A of a Tax Return?

Categories: California Tax Law

Tax return caclculation

Voluntary Plan for Disability Insurance (VDPI) *The following article was updated in February 2022* When it comes to California tax returns, there are a lot of questions about what expenses are deductible and what are not. One area that is often asked about is the Voluntary Plan for Disability Insurance (VDPI). Let’s look at what...

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