California Assembly Bill 5 (AB-5) took effect on January 1, 2020, and is the new standard by which employers must classify employees. Small business owners (SBOs) should familiarize themselves with AB-5 and the ABC test to avoid employee misclassification and potential penalties from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). What is… [Read more]
Tax Season is Over, EDD Audit Season Begins
Now that the April filing deadline has passed, small business owners may be asking: what’s next? Insert EDD audit season. As tempting as it may be to put off thinking of taxes until next year, some small business owners may be required to respond to an audit from the California… [Read more]
What Will 2021 EDD Audits Look Like?
Watch our video below to learn how the last 12 quarters affect your EDD audit criteria. Have You Received an EDD Audit Letter? The California Employment Development Department (EDD) sends audit letters through the mail. If you receive an audit letter, you have 30 days to reply. Typically, the agency… [Read more]
How Dynamex Ruined it for Everybody
Who is Dynamex and what did they do? Watch our video below: Dynamex was a nationwide same-day delivery and courier service. They employed their California drivers as W-2 employees who received the benefits, payroll taxes, and perks of being a W-2 employee. However, in 2004, the company reclassified all… [Read more]
Biden Administration Revokes Employer Friendly Independent Contractor Test
In early May of this year, the Biden Administration officially made the decision to revoke the previously adjusted Trump era ruling on independent contractor classification. Earlier this year, in January 2021, the Trump administration took advantage of the opportunity to implement final changes to the Department of Labor (DOL)… [Read more]
AB-5 Exemptions: Your Comprehensive Guide
California Assembly Bill 5 (AB5) has built-in exemptions for many businesses. We say “Not So Fast”! Even exempted industries have to adhere to the old 13 point Borello criteria for classifying 1099 contractors. So, while many business owners are celebrating the free pass the AB-5 exemptions seem to offer, take… [Read more]
Stop an EDD Audit of Your 1099s in its Tracks
How to navigate AB-5 Assembly Bill 5, which required companies to reclassify most independent contractors as employees, is hurting employees. California’s new AB-5 and Gig Workers Bill has employers concerned since it is unknown what EDD will do next. The bill that passed a few months back was already affecting… [Read more]
6 Mistakes Businesses Can Make When Hiring and Working With Independent Contractors
Business owners hire independent contractors to help with specialized or contracted work. But, as a business owner, if you find yourself engaging in what may be considered an ‘employer-employee relationship’ with your independent contractor hires, you may be contacted by the Employment Development Department (EDD) and/or the Internal Revenue Service… [Read more]
The 4 Types of IRS Audits, and How to Navigate Them
There are 4 types of IRS audits that taxpayers should be prepared to navigate. Each type has different requirements and effective strategies to correctly respond to the audit and resolve the issue. Read on to learn about the procedures of each audit, your appeal rights as a taxpayer, and when… [Read more]