California Department of Tax and Fee Administration

The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration administers California’s sales and use, fuel and tobacco taxes, as well as a variety of other taxes and fees that fund specific state programs. Services include the issuance of sellers permits and business licenses, taxpayer events and education, and more.

Board of Equalization

The Board of Equalization (BOE) provides property tax oversight, ensuring that county property tax assessment practices are equal and uniform throughout the state. Currently, the tax programs administered by the BOE are concentrated in three general areas: alcoholic beverage tax, tax on insurers and property taxes. 

Department of Business Oversight

The Department of Business Oversight (DBO) provides protection to consumers and services to businesses engaged in financial transactions. The Department regulates a variety of financial services, products and professionals and oversees the operations of state-licensed financial institutions, including banks, credit unions, money transmitters, issuers of payment instruments and traveler’s checks and premium finance companies. Additionally, the Department licenses and regulates a variety of financial businesses, including securities brokers and dealers, investment advisers, deferred deposit transactions(commonly known as payday loans) and certain fiduciaries and lenders.

Department of Industrial Relations

The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) protects and improves the health, safety, and economic well-being of over 18 million wage earners and helps their employers comply with state labor laws. DIR is housed within the Labor & Workforce Development Agency.

Employment Development Department

The Employment Development Department’s Workforce Services Branch (WSB) provides a comprehensive range of employment and training services in partnership with state and local agencies and organizations through the America’s Job Center of California (AJCC). The services offered benefit all job seekers including youth, veterans, people with disabilities, adults, and dislocated workers and brings employers with job opportunities together with qualified job seekers. The WSB also prepares up-to-date statistical information, demographics, and analyses impacting the State’s business climate.

Employment Training Panel

The Employment Training Panel (ETP) provides funding to employers to assist in upgrading the skills of their workers through training that leads to good paying, long-term jobs. The ETP was created in 1982 by the California State Legislature and is funded by California employers through a special payroll tax. The ETP is a funding agency, not a training agency. Businesses determine their own training needs and how to provide training. ETP staff is available to assist in applying for funds and other aspects of participation.

Franchise Tax Board

The Franchise Tax Board is responsible for administering two of California’s major tax programs: Personal Income Tax and the Corporation Tax. The Board also administers other non-tax programs and provides delinquent debt collection functions, including delinquent vehicle registration debt collections on behalf of the Department of Motor Vehicles and court–ordered debt. Businesses can access tax forms, make payments and get information on corporate filings.

Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz)

The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) serves as California’s single point of contact for economic development and job creation efforts. GO-Biz offers a range of services to business owners including: attraction, retention and expansion services, site selection, permit streamlining, clearing of regulatory hurdles, small business assistance, international trade development, assistance with state government and much more.​

Tax Credits & Exemptions

CaliforniaCompetes Tax Credit
The California Competes Tax Credit is an income tax credit available to businesses that want to come to California or stay and grow in California. Tax credit agreements are negotiated by GO-Biz and approved by “California Competes Tax Credit Committee,” consisting of the State Treasurer, the Director of the Department of Finance, the Director of GO-Biz, one appointee each by the Speaker of the Assembly and Senate Committee on Rules.

Manufacturer’s Sales Tax Exemption
A new law beginning on July 1, 2014, allows manufacturers and certain research and developers to obtain a partial exemption of sales and use tax on certain manufacturing and research and development equipment purchases. To be eligible under this law, you must meet all three of these conditions:
- Be engaged in certain types of business, also known as a “qualified person”
- Purchase “qualified property”
- Use that qualified property for the uses allowed by this law.

New Employment Credit
The New Employment Credit (NEC) is available for each taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 2014, and before January 1, 2026, to a qualified taxpayer that hires a qualified full-time employee on or after January 1, 2014; pays or incurs qualified wages attributable to work performed by the qualified full-time employee in a designated census tract or economic development area [commonly referred to as a Designated Geographic Area (DGA)]; and that receives a tentative credit reservation for that qualified full-time employee.