Guide to California State Taxes

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.

The official source of California State Taxes is
the California State Taxes page at Business.com