california - Linkenheimer LLP CPAs & Advisors

California Employers: CalSavers Deadline is December 31, 2025

If you’re a California employer with at least one W-2 employee and you don’t already offer a qualified retirement plan, you’re required to either register for CalSavers or claim an exemption by December 31, 2025. CalSavers is the state-sponsored IRA program that allows employees to save for retirement through payroll deductions. Alternatively, you can satisfy the requirement by offering your own qualified retirement plan such as a 401(k), SEP, or SIMPLE IRA.

Not sure if this applies to you? You’re exempt if you’re a sole proprietor or business with no W-2 employees other than the owners, if you already sponsor a qualified retirement plan, or if you’re a government entity, religious organization, or tribal organization. If you’re exempt, you should still submit an exemption request to avoid receiving compliance notices.

If you’re not exempt, take action now. Businesses that don’t comply risk fines of $250 per employee if noncompliance extends 90 days or more after receiving a notice, and an additional $500 per employee if noncompliance continues past 180 days. Register or claim your exemption at employer.calsavers.com. Have questions about whether CalSavers or a […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2025-12-03T20:54:18+00:00December 3rd, 2025|business, ca, california, employer|0 Comments

California SB 132 Extends the Pass-Through Entity Elective Tax — and Changes the Rules

On June 27, 2025, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 132 (the 2025-26 budget trailer bill) into law. The measure delivers several tax changes, but the headline for S-corporations, partnerships, and LLCs is a five-year extension — with new twists — for California’s Pass-Through Entity Elective Tax (PTE).

PTE Quick Refresher: The Pass-Through Entity Tax lets your S-corp, partnership, or LLC pay California tax at the entity level. Why does this matter? It converts state income taxes (limited by the federal SALT cap) into a fully deductible business expense at the federal level. With the federal SALT cap temporarily raised to $40,000 (for most taxpayers) through 2029, then reverting to $10,000 in 2030, the PTE election remains a valuable planning tool — especially for owners with significant state tax liabilities.

What SB 132 Means for Pass-Through Owners

PTE election extended through 2030: Qualifying entities may continue making the California PTE election for tax years 2026–2030, preserving valuable federal tax benefits for owners regardless of federal SALT cap changes.

June 15 prepayment no longer “all-or-nothing”: Missing or underpaying the mid-June deposit will not disqualify your election after 2025. Instead, each owner’s PTE credit gets reduced by 12.5% of any shortfall. Translation? […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2025-07-18T22:02:29+00:00July 18th, 2025|ca, CA tax, california, New Tax Laws, News, pte|0 Comments

Current Pending Legislation Affecting Businesses and Individuals

Introduction

As your trusted advisors, we at Linkenheimer LLP strive to keep you informed about the latest legislative developments that could impact your business and personal financial planning. In this edition, we highlight significant pending legislation at both the state and federal levels that may affect our clients, including business owners, winery and restaurant owners, and individuals. We have not received any updates regarding potential federal adjustments for PG&E payments and Research & Development expense capitalization, and unfortunately, we remain pessimistic about any forthcoming changes. As a result, beginning July 1, 2024, we will proceed with finalizing the returns that were on hold pending this legislation.

State-Level Proposed Legislation

California AB 1181: Minimum Wage Increase

AB 1181 proposes to increase the state minimum wage to $16 per hour for all employees, regardless of the size of the business, by January 1, 2025. For small business owners, this could mean higher payroll costs and a need to revisit pricing strategies and workforce management.

California AB 543: Paid Family Leave Expansion

AB 543 seeks to extend the duration […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2024-07-09T20:43:30+00:00July 1st, 2024|ca, CA tax, california, law, New Tax Laws, propositions|0 Comments

Important Reminder: California’s Winter Storms Postpones June 15 Payments

The winter storms that hit California in December and January have caused a lot of damage and disruption. As a result, taxpayers affected by these storms qualify for an extension to October 16, 2023 to file individual and business tax returns and make certain tax payments ¹. This includes individuals whose tax returns and payments are due on April 18, 2023 and June 15, 2023¹.

As announced by Governor Newsom earlier in the year, California individuals and businesses impacted by 2022-23 winter storms qualify for an extension to file and pay taxes until October 16, 2023.

This includes:

Individuals whose tax returns and payments are due on April 18, 2023.
Quarterly estimated tax payments due January 17, 2023, March 15, 2023, April 18, 2023, June 15, 2023, and September 15, 2023.
Business entities whose tax returns and payments are normally due on March 15 and April 18.
Pass-through entity (PTE) elective tax payments due on March 15, 2023 and June 15, 2023.

Affected counties:

Following the disaster declaration issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, individuals and households affected by severe winter storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides that reside or have a business in Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Del Norte, […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2023-05-24T13:09:47+00:00May 24th, 2023|CA tax, california, disaster, tax deadlines|0 Comments

California Conforms to IRS: More Time to File State Taxes for Californians Impacted by Winter Storms

SACRAMENTO – In addition to tax relief measures that Governor Gavin Newsom announced in January, California is also extending the state tax filing and payment due dates to October 16, 2023 for Californians impacted by the winter storms in December and January. This aligns California with the Biden Administration, which announced that the IRS extended various due dates until October 16, as well.

“As communities across the state continue recovering from the damage caused by the winter storms, California is working swiftly to help recovering Californians get back on their feet,” said Governor Newsom. “The state is aligning with the Biden Administration and extending the tax filing deadline in addition to the tax relief announced earlier this year.”

Last month, Governor Newsom announced tax relief for those impacted by winter storms, giving people the ability to claim a deduction for disaster loss and extending certain filing deadlines.

The following counties are eligible for this extended tax relief, per the IRS announcements here and here:

Residents and businesses in Alameda, Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Contra Costa, Del Norte, El Dorado, Fresno, Glenn, Humboldt, Inyo, Kings, Lake, Los Angeles, Madera, Marin, Mariposa, Mendocino, Merced, Mono, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Orange, […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2023-03-07T19:48:04+00:00March 3rd, 2023|CA tax, california, disaster, filing deadline, ftb, irs, New Tax Laws|0 Comments