California Tax Relief: FTB, CDTFA & EDD Help for Back Taxes

California has three heavy hitters: the Franchise Tax Board (FTB) for income/franchise tax, CDTFA for sales & use tax, and EDD for payroll tax. If one—or all three—are sending notices, we step in, sort the facts, and push for a solution that fits your budget and timeline.

A tax lien can affect credit and future borrowing; levies and wage garnishments hit cash flow right away.

Click to Call: 866-620-3099

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California Collections 101: FTB, CDTFA & EDD

FTB (income/franchise tax)

Pursues back taxes, late returns, and underpayments. If ignored, notices can lead to wage garnishments or bank levies. After engagement, we contact FTB, pull state and IRS data, confirm balances, filing gaps, penalties, and CSEDs, then recommend an installment agreement, Offer in Compromise, penalty relief, or CNC when eligible.

CDTFA (sales & use tax)

Reviews POS data, invoices, exemption certificates, and purchase/use records. Auditors may sample and project across periods. We assemble records, test samples, challenge projections, and disallowed exemptions where warranted, and position you for payment plans, OIC eligibility, or audit adjustments.

EDD (payroll)

Focuses on withholding, filings, and unpaid payroll taxes, often urgent for small businesses. We address assessments, negotiate payment plans, pursue penalty relief when reasonable cause exists, and coordinate filing corrections to reduce exposure.

Knowing which agency you’re dealing with shapes the plan and the paperwork. Bring your latest letters and returns, and we will take it from there.

Your Relief Options (What We May Recommend)

Every case starts with your numbers, notices, and goals. Depending on the agency and balance, we may pursue:

Payment plans matched to cash flow (individual or business), prepared, submitted, and negotiated by our team.

Offer in Compromise (including California programs) when your finances support a settlement, subject to eligibility and agency review.

Penalty relief where reasonable cause exists, with supporting statements and documentation prepared for the agency.

Non-filer catch-up for unfiled returns. We review transcripts, identify missing periods, and file to restore eligibility for relief programs.

Sales and use tax defense and adjustments, including validation of exemptions, sampling challenges, and AP/use tax reviews.

If You Have a Lien, Levy, or Garnishment

A tax lien can affect credit and future borrowing; levies and wage garnishments hit cash flow right away. We prioritize stabilization by contacting the agency after engagement and authorization, requesting holds where appropriate, confirming deadlines, and proposing a path that protects you while the long-term fix is set.

Our Process (Protection & Setup → Investigation & Strategy → Resolution & Compliance)

Free review → transcript and notice pull

With your authorization, we request IRS transcripts within 1 business day and collect your FTB/CDTFA/EDD letters.

Same-day outreach available

After engagement and authorization, we aim to contact the agency on Day 1 to request holds where appropriate.

Strategy memo

You get a clear plan, such as a payment plan, settlement, penalty relief, non-filer steps, or a sales and use tax appeal, plus a checklist.

Written scope

With your authorization, we request IRS transcripts within 1 business day and collect your FTB/CDTFA/EDD letters.

Resolution and follow-through

We submit, negotiate, and track the file to a decision, then help keep you compliant with filing calendars, reminders, and payment monitoring.

What to Bring

Recent FTB/CDTFA/EDD notices

Last filed returns (federal and California)

Income proofs (W-2/1099, business P&L)

Bank statements (cash flow picture)

For CDTFA: POS exports, sales invoices, exemption certificates, AP/use tax detail

Bring what you have. We will close the gaps and request missing items.

Costs & Timelines: What Drives Both

Your fee and timeline depend on which agency is involved, how many years are open, and the quality of your records, especially for sales and use tax. We provide target dates and check-ins for filings, appeals, and payment submissions so you always know where things stand.

Click to call: 866-620-3099

FAQs (California-Specific)

Who is Eligible for Property Tax Relief in California?

Property tax relief is typically handled by your county assessor and state programs outside our services. We focus on income, sales, use, and payroll tax relief. If property tax is your issue, contact your county assessor. If you have state tax debt, we can help.

How Much Do You Receive From California Disaster-Related Tax Relief?

Disaster relief varies by event and agency. We will confirm whether a deadline extension or penalty relief applies to your file and coordinate your response, but we do not set disaster benefit amounts. Share your notice and we will advise next steps.

How Do I E-file a Relief Request for a California Sales and Use Tax Return?

For CDTFA matters, we will prepare the supporting documentation and submit requests through the channels your notice lists. If you received an online request link or account portal instruction, bring it to your review, and we will take the lead.

What Did the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act (EGTRRA) Do to California State Taxes?

EGTRRA is federal law. California’s impact depends on state conformity at the time. For current California tax relief, we focus on today’s rules and your active balances with FTB/CDTFA/EDD.

Why Choose Rush Tax Resolution

Licensed team: Enrolled Agents, CPAs, and Attorneys
A+ BBB, nationwide representation (including California cases), Southern California offices in Los Angeles (HQ), Woodland Hills, and Newport Beach
Free, confidential case review and free IRS transcript review, typically within 1 business day after authorization. Same-day agency contact available after engagement and authorization.
Clear pricing by phase, written scope, and regular updates. Private firm, not affiliated with the IRS or any government agency. No guaranteed outcomes.

Get Help Now

Talk to a licensed tax professional

Prefer to start with documents? Request your free IRS transcript review and upload your California notices. We will map your options with FTB, CDTFA, or EDD, typically within 1 business day after authorization.

Disclaimer. After engagement and authorization, we contact the IRS or the state to address enforcement. Rush Tax Resolution is a private firm, not affiliated with the IRS or any government agency. No guaranteed outcomes. Results depend on eligibility, documentation, and agency review.