CA - Linkenheimer LLP CPAs & Advisors

Do You Have a California Business That Collects Sales Tax?

California businesses that collect sales tax from customers must correctly report the sales and remit the tax on time or face a possible 25% fraud penalty. The CA Dept. of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) found that one restaurant owner significantly underreported sales and underpaid the related sales tax. On that basis, the CDTFA determined that he was not only subject to the 25% fraud penalty, but that he also met the criteria for a higher penalty of 40%. That is, evidence showed he knowingly collected sales tax to be remitted and failed to remit the full tax collected; also, the amount exceeded an established threshold. The CA Office of Tax Appeals upheld the penalty. If you have questions, please contact your Linkenheimer CPA.

By Linkenheimer LLP|2020-09-03T20:03:24+00:00December 11th, 2019|business, ca, CA tax, sales tax|0 Comments

Minimum Wage Raised in City of Petaluma

A local minimum wage raise is coming for employees of the City of Petaluma. Effective Jan. 1, 2020, the hourly minimum wage rate for employers with 26 or more employees will be $15.00, and $14.00 for employers with fewer than 26 employees. By ordinance, the minimum wage must be adjusted annually, based on the Bay Area Consumer Price Index. This ordinance applies to all employees who work two or more hours per week in Petaluma and are covered by state minimum wage law. It doesn’t apply to federal, state or county agencies or school districts. A youth minimum wage rate applies to those who are ages 14 to 17 during the first 160 hours of employment in occupations new to them. If you have any questions, please contact your Linkenheimer CPA.

By Linkenheimer LLP|2020-09-03T20:03:25+00:00December 3rd, 2019|ca, CA tax, california|0 Comments

Certain California Residents May Soon Be Contacted By a State Tax Agency

Beginning in late September and during October 2019 the CA Franchise Tax Board (FTB) will be sending 66,500 Notices of Assessment to taxpayers who filed as head-of-household but don’t qualify for that status. Taxpayers who disagree with the Notice of Proposed Assessment may log onto https://bit.ly/2k5JFOs. You may need to create an account. Or, contact the FTB by mail at Franchise Tax Board, PO Box 942840, Sacramento, CA 94240-5340, to file a protest. If you have questions, please contact your Linkenheimer CPA with questions.

By Linkenheimer LLP|2020-09-03T20:03:38+00:00September 18th, 2019|ca, CA tax|0 Comments

Are You Engaged in Internet Sales in California?

Are you engaged in Internet sales in California? In light of changes to sales and use tax that became effective in April, some retailers may not be certain if they must collect and pay over sales and use tax based on aspects of their businesses. The CA Dept. of Tax and Fee Administration has updated Publication 109 (Internet Sales) to add clarity on many issues. One key change is the addition of details that defines what “engaged in business” in CA means and doesn’t mean. For example, “Offering merchandise for sale over the phone, by mail order, or online will generally not, by itself, cause a retailer to be engaged in business in CA.” Go to https://bit.ly/2OClJka and scroll down. If you have questions or would like more info, please contact your Linkenheimer CPA.

By Linkenheimer LLP|2020-09-03T20:03:43+00:00August 22nd, 2019|sales tax|0 Comments

New Application Period for a Valuable California Business Tax Credit

Coming up soon is a new application period for a valuable California business tax credit. The CA Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development has announced that, for fiscal year 2019-2020, a total of $236,808,527 in CA Competes Tax Credits is available. Learn more about applying here: https://bit.ly/2nxiNGc. Applications will be accepted during the following periods: July 29 through August 19, 2019 ($90 million total); January 6 through January 27, 2020 ($75 million total); and March 9 through March 30, 2020 ($71.8 million, plus unallocated amounts from previous periods). This credit is an income or franchise tax credit available to businesses that come, stay or expand in CA. If you have questions or are interested in applying, please contact your Linkenheimer CPA.

By Linkenheimer LLP|2020-09-03T20:03:47+00:00July 22nd, 2019|business, tax credit|0 Comments