Practical, accurate resources for California small business owners — covering payroll taxes, labor laws, and compliance.
Daily overtime thresholds, §226 wage statement rules, PAGA stacking math, SB 1162 pay data reporting, CalSavers mandates, waiting time penalties, local minimum wages, and a full compliance calendar.
Professional 1099-NEC and 1099-MISC filing for California businesses. Pacific Data Services handles 1099s for clients in all 50 states — accurate, on time, fully managed.
How to enroll in EFTPS, determine your deposit schedule, make payments, and avoid IRS late-deposit penalties as a California employer.
Detailed comparison of Gusto, Paychex, QuickBooks Payroll, and ADP for California small businesses.
The One Big Beautiful Bill created new federal deductions for tip income (up to $25,000) and FLSA overtime premium pay (up to $12,500). What qualifies, your W-2 obligations, and the 2026 mandatory reporting deadline.
All CA employer taxes — SUI, ETT, SDI, PIT withholding. Rates, wage bases, where to pay, and filing schedules.
When to register, how to do it online, what you get, and free EDD payroll tax seminars for new employers.
New employer rates, experienced employer range, wage base, ETT, experience rating — all explained.
SDI rate, PFL benefits, employer withholding obligations, VPDI option, and what employees actually get.
CA statewide rate, fast food workers, healthcare workers, local rates (LA, SF, etc.), no tip credit rule, and salary exemption threshold.
Pay frequency requirements, timing rules, final paycheck deadlines (same-day for terminations), pay stubs, and waiting time penalties.
FICA, Social Security, Medicare, FUTA, federal withholding — the complete breakdown of what employers owe.
Get your EIN, register with the state, set up withholding, new hire reporting — the complete first-payroll checklist.
IRS 3-factor test, California ABC test, AB5, misclassification penalties, and when each classification makes sense.
IRS lookback period, deposit thresholds, next-day rule, EFTPS, and penalties for late deposits.
FLSA, IRS, and California recordkeeping requirements — what to keep, how long, and why it matters.
ALE threshold, penalties for non-compliance, 1094-C/1095-C filing, small business exemption, and SHOP marketplace.
Misclassifying workers, wrong withholding, missed deposits, ignoring state law — the mistakes that add up fast.
Federal OT after 40 hrs/week, California OT after 8 hrs/day — plus double-time, exemptions, and salary thresholds.
Federal and state new hire reporting requirements, what to report, how to file, and penalties for non-compliance.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or professional advice. Employment laws, tax regulations, and compliance requirements change frequently. The information on this page reflects our understanding as of the date noted above and may not reflect recent changes in federal or California state law. Do not act or refrain from acting based solely on the information in this article. Always consult a qualified attorney, CPA, or HR professional familiar with California law before making payroll or compliance decisions for your business.