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Category: Business
Master business taxation with expert tips on compliance, deductions, and strategies to optimize tax planning and reduce liabilities for your business.
Master business taxation with expert tips on compliance, deductions, and strategies to optimize tax planning and reduce liabilities for your business.
California Carbon Capture Credits: Tax Benefits for Startups
As California moves aggressively toward net-zero emissions, it’s offering new carbon capture tax credits to incentivize innovation in climate tech, AI-powered emission tracking, and carbon removal. These credits are modeled partly after IRC §45Q (Federal Carbon Capture Credit), but offer additional state-level tax relief for companies based in California. If you’re involved in carbon sequestration, […]
California Gross Premiums Tax on AI InsurTech Startups
As AI-powered InsurTech startups continue to scale across California, many are entering regulated insurance business models issuing digital policies, underwriting risk through licensed carriers, or acting as MGAs. But one California-specific tax often gets missed in early planning: the Gross Premiums Tax (GPT) under California Constitution Article XIII, Section 28. Unlike income tax, this tax […]
Stock-for-Stock Reorgs: California Franchise Tax Surprises
When your startup undergoes a stock-for-stock reorganization, the focus is usually on federal tax deferral under IRC §368(a)(1)(B) but if your company operates in California, the Franchise Tax Board (FTB) may have a different take. Many founders, CFOs, and legal teams overlook the state-level tax implications of stock swaps, especially when: Entities involved are incorporated […]
Public Utility Tax on SaaS Subscriptions: Does It Apply in California?
As more SaaS startups scale in California, founders are facing unexpected tax classifications especially when their platforms involve communications, data transmission, or streaming. One area drawing scrutiny is whether SaaS services are subject to Public Utility Tax (PUT) under California’s rules or local ordinances. Although California doesn’t impose a state-level sales tax on most SaaS […]
California VCP: Fix Unclaimed Property Issues Before Audit Hits
If you’ve never filed a Holder Notice Report in California or just received a letter from the State Controller’s Office, there’s a limited-time way to protect your business: the Voluntary Compliance Program (VCP). This program is a lifeline for startups and founders who want to fix past non-compliance related to unclaimed property without facing harsh […]
CA Escheat Letters to Founders: What to Do If You Get One
CA Escheat Letters to Founders If you’re a startup founder or CFO in California, you might be surprised one day to receive a formal letter from the California State Controller’s Office. It might reference “unclaimed property” or use the word “escheat.” At first glance, it may look like a phishing attempt. But in most cases, […]
Ending a California Trust? Don’t Forget the Final Form 541
Ending a California Trust When you’re ready to terminate a California trust, it may feel like you’re tying up the last loose end. But before you close the books and move on, there’s one final and critical tax step you can’t skip: filing the final California Form 541. Many founders, families, and estate planners overlook […]
Grantor Trusts & CA Startup Shares: Avoid These Tax Traps
If you’re using a grantor trust to hold startup equity a common strategy among founders for estate and tax planning there’s a good chance you’ve heard about the federal tax benefits. But if you’re in California, you also need to think about the Franchise Tax Board (FTB) because California may not treat that trust the […]
California R&D Credit vs. Federal: Can Founders Double-Dip?
Introduction Founders often ask: “Can I claim the R&D credit at both federal and California levels?” In 2025, the answer is yes but with key differences in calculation, rules, and refundability. In this blog, we compare the California Research Credit with the Federal R&D Credit under IRC §41 and guide founders on how to maximize […]
83(b) Election When You Reside in California: PIT vs Franchise Tax (2025 Guide)
Introduction Filing an 83(b) election in 2025 can save you thousands in long-term capital gains but if you’re a California resident, it comes with a twist: you must consider both Personal Income Tax (PIT) and the Franchise Tax Board’s rules. This blog unpacks the intersection of IRC §83(b) with California PIT reporting, state-sourced equity income, […]