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.
