Sales and Use Tax

Are you an individual or business owner who is facing a sales or use tax audit by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration? The firm represents taxpayers during civil audits with the goal of resolving the matter as quickly as possible and minimizing civil penalties. We have substantial experience representing business owners, large and small, through the difficult waters of a sales and use tax audit.  In appropriate circumstances, we work in conjunction with an accountant, who can either directly interface with the auditor or provide accounting worksheets and sales and use tax calculations.  Our goal is to resolve the case at the audit level and to minimize or avoid entirely civil penalties.  Most importantly, in difficult cases, we work to keep the case civil and avoid a criminal investigation.

Sales and use tax audits can arise randomly or through the sale of a business.

In addition, the firm represents taxpayers who have collection problems with the CA Department of Tax and Fee Administration and this includes offers in compromise, installment agreements, and other matters.

The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration has stepped up enforcement of sales and use taxes. There are steep civil penalties, including fraud penalties, for failing to accurately report sales and use taxes.

Retailers engaged in business in California must register with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) and pay the state’s sales tax, which applies to all retail sales of goods and merchandise except those sales specifically exempted by law.  See https://www.cdtfa.ca.gov/taxes-and-fees/sutprograms.htm