Businesses are required to take California local taxes very seriously. As a result, it is imperative that businesses filing California state and local taxes understand how to do so in an effective and efficient manner. California local tax resources can assist individuals in the completion of this task, as can thorough information about California state taxes.

Business owners can find California state taxes education and training from a number of specific California state tax resource organizations and options. For businesses interested in filing and understanding California local taxes, you need to:

1. Understand the forms necessary for businesses to file when it comes to California local taxes.

2. Become aware of the options available for filing when it comes to local California tax and time frame for optimal filing.

3. Rely upon legitimate and reliable sources to get the best education and training assistance when it comes to local California tax requirements and regulations.

4. Invest in training classes and events offered by California state tax resource centers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Utilize California state tax resources to understand more information about the forms for filing

Local California tax resources can benefit businesses who are hoping to learn more about the forms necessary for filing California state and local taxes. There are a number of local California tax resources which can provide invaluable California state tax information when it comes to these forms.

I recommend: The Employment Development Department of California offers a great deal of information with regard to the forms available to California businesses and employers who are looking to properly file their taxes. In addition to explaining these forms, their purposes and capabilities, this website also offers information as to how to order these specific forms from the EDD of California. The Franchise Tax Board of California offers similar information and options about tax forms to businesses. Business forms may also be found at OLT.com.

Learn the options available for when and how to file California local taxes

When filing California state and local taxes, it is important to learn the options available to businesses for these procedures. Knowing what filing options are available can allow businesses to make the most educated and effective decision based on their own personal situation with regard to local California tax.

I recommend: AllBusiness.com offers an article explaining the benefits of e-filing California state taxes and how businesses may e-file their taxes. MoneyCentral.MSN.com offers advice on the best time for individuals and businesses to file their taxes in order to make the most of their opportunities and in light of the present financial crisis in the state.

Review information about California state and local tax rules and regulations

There are many sites which offer information about California state and local tax rules and regulations. However, it is important to isolate educational sites which specialize in providing accurate information to businesses with regard to California state and local taxes.

I recommend: TheCityofNapa.com offers information about local business tax rules and regulations. Meanwhile, Dorsey.com discusses the changes which have taken place as of January 1, 2009 with regard to business tax rules and regulations.

Benefit from training events which educate with regard to California state and local taxes

Not all employees and their businesses as a whole are able to file California state taxes without an education into how to properly do so. For these organizations, it can be extremely beneficial to invest in training classes which help individuals learn to properly file their California state and local taxes.

I recommend: The California State Board of Equalization offers seminars and training programs for businesses, entrepreneurs and women for assistance with taxes and other opportunities. The National Tax Training School offers courses in order to help businesses and non-businesses properly file taxes in the state of California with their California Income Tax Preparer Course. FlaggMgmt.com offers an event for tax preparers and other accounts with respect to California Accounting and Business.

California state and local taxes can cause confusion and concern for business owners in the state of California. Find California state and local tax resources designed to help business owners navigate the maze of California business taxes.

California Business owners can e-file California state taxes and local taxes, obtain a seller's permit and download business tax forms. All California business owners and business tax professionals should be sure to:

1. Obtain information about California state taxes.

2. Gather California state and local tax forms.

3. File California state and local taxes online.

4. Use online California state tax tools to aid with tax related responsibilities.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use California state tax resources and California local tax resources online

Business owners can read online publications, determine sales and use tax rates and get information about withholding taxes through the government website.

I recommend: View employer tax publications. Obtain online information about withholding rates and schedules. Find out information about sales and use tax rates for any city or county in California.

Obtain forms necessary for California local taxes and state taxes

The state of California makes it easy for California business owners and other business tax professionals to obtain forms necessary for filing their California state and local taxes. Look for employer tax forms, sales and use tax forms, corporation tax forms and partnership tax forms for your business.

I recommend: Download and view employer tax forms. Obtain sales and use tax forms. Review corporation and partnership tax forms.

E-file California local taxes and state taxes

Business owners can use online tax tools to help file various business taxes online. Business owners can securely file and pay payroll taxes, sales and use taxes, corporation taxes and partnership taxes using the Internet.

I recommend: File and pay payroll taxes online using the Employment Development Department's (EDD's) e-Services for Businesses. File sales and use taxes electronically. File corporation and partnership taxes online.

Take advantage of online California state tax resources and tools to help with tax tasks

Online California local tax resources and state tax resources and tools can help California business owners take care of certain business tax responsibilities and tasks. New business owners can apply for seller's permits online, and the Small Business Assistance Center can help all California business owners manage their business taxes.

I recommend: Obtain a seller's permit in order to collect and file sales and use taxes in California. Visit the online Small Business Assistance Center for information and tools related to starting, running and closing a business in California.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider attending the various California state tax seminars and workshops given by the state of California. Business owners can obtain information about payroll taxes and sales and use taxes from these seminars and workshops. Find information about these offerings from the online California Tax Service Center.

California state tax laws are very strict and numerous. These laws can make it difficult for any business to ensure they are reporting all they need to. For example, some businesses may not realize the new employee reporting requirement. Businesses also need to know the tax rate, how to obtain resale certificates and what the large corporate understatement penalty is.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

New employee reporting

Tax laws in California require that the hiring of new employees be reported to the state. This aids the state in finding tax and child support debtors.

I recommend: The Employment Development Department of the State of California provides more information on this requirement.

Tax rate

The California state tax rate is the amount of taxation on the sales and use within the state. The sales and use tax rate changes intermittently.

I recommend: The California State Board of Equalization provides more information on what the tax rate is and how it is calculated.

Resale certificates

Businesses that purchase items for resale can become registered sellers with the state by obtaining resale certificates. This certificate stipulates that the purchaser does not have to pay tax at the time of the purchase, because the item is going to be resold.

I recommend: The California Tax Service Center provides more information on resale certificates.

Large corporate understatement penalty

California requires that businesses understand the large corporate understatement penalty. This penalty is applied to corporations that fail to report all taxes. The penalty is for 20% of the total amount that was understated, whenever the corporation fails to report taxes in excess of $1 million.

I recommend: The State of California Franchise Tax Board provides more information about large corporate understatement penalties.

E-Services

Many of California's taxes can be paid online through e-services. In addition, e-services also allow businesses to make changes to address information and to register for an employee account number.

I recommend: The Employment Development Department offers more information about e-services.

Alcoholic beverage tax program

The alcoholic beverage tax program is a program that collects a tax at the sale, distribution and importation of alcoholic beverages. It is an excise tax collected on a per-gallon sale.

I recommend: The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control provides more information.

California state and local taxes apply to both businesses and individuals. It is important for the owner and operator of any business within the state of California to use California tax resources and stay up to date on the latest laws and codes.

Take the time to browse through California state tax resources to locate the latest news and trends so that you can apply the latest laws to your business. Here are some informational resources to point you in the right direction when searching for California state taxes news and trends.

1. Visit state-run websites for California state tax resources.

2. Subscribe to newspapers that cover California state taxes and read the latest articles.

3. Find associations that represent small businesses and detail information on California state taxes.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Locate California state tax resources by going to official state websites

Every state in the union has an online presence that details the latest tax news and law changes, and California is no exception. Visit their official websites to locate information on California state taxes. There you'll be able to browse both archives as well current news so that you and your business can keep up with the latest changes.

I recommend: Go to the website for the Franchise Tax Board for the state of California. This is the official board that collects taxes for the state. They consistently update their website with the latest tax law and code changes. The California Tax Service Center is also another quality resource that covers the latest news on the front page of their website.

Find newspapers that cover California local taxes and California state taxes

Because California is so large, there are several quality news publications that cover the state. Each of these news publications covers the state and local taxes affecting citizens living in various counties. Find the hometown paper where your business is located to learn information on everything from property tax, sales tax, employment tax and more.

I recommend: Visit the website for the Sacramento Bee for more information on state and local taxes within California. Because Sacramento is the capital of the state, they provide comprehensive reporting on the legislature and state government operations. The San Francisco Chronicle is another great resource for state and local tax info.

Learn about California state taxes news by visiting websites dedicated to helping small businesses

There are many websites dedicated to providing information about California state taxes to small business owners. These websites include state run websites as well as business associations. Take the time to peruse these websites and read articles on tax news. Think of it as one of many California local tax resources.

I recommend: Visit the website for the California Small Business Assistance Center. They have a section that is dedicated to "news and newsletters." This section highlights tax procedures every business must follow to stay in compliance. Also check out the website for the California Small Business Association. They publish articles and newsletters regarding the latest tax law changes in the state.