Tax Defense
CDTFA Tax Defense
Sales tax audits, assessments, appeals, and CDTFA collections. We handle every stage of CDTFA enforcement on behalf of California businesses.
- Filter by content type
Blog
- Videos
- Case Studies
- Guides
- Testimonials
Tax Strategy & Optimization
- Business Tax Optimization
- Individual Tax Optimization
- Residency & Multi-State Tax Issues
- Exit Planning and Other Corporate Transactions
- Real Estate and Investment Portfolio Optimization
Tax Defense
- Criminal Tax Defense
- IRS Audits
- California Income Tax (FTB)
- California Sales, Use, and Excise Tax (CDTFA)
- California Payroll Tax (EDD)
- IRS Tax Debt Resolution
- California Tax Debt Resolution
- Other State Tax Representation
Employee Retention Tax Credit
- Employee Retention Tax CreditFilings
- Employee Retention Tax CreditAudits
- Employee Retention Tax CreditAppeals
- Employee Retention Tax CreditLitigation
Other Complex Tax Issues
- International Tax Controversy and Compliance
- Multi-State Tax Compliance and Voluntary Disclosures
- Divorce/Legal Separation Tax Issues
- Cryptocurrency Tax Issues
- Cannabis Tax Issues
- Tax Promoter/Tax Shelter Issues
- Complex Tax Preparation
- Other Insights
Blog
Negligence Penalties in California Sales Tax Audits
Generally, a penalty of 10% will be added if any part of the tax deficiency resulting form taxpayer’s negligence or intentional disregard of the law.
Blog
California Sales for Resale and Resale Audits
A claimed sale for resale will be allowed in a CDTFA audit if it is supported by a resale certificate that is proper in form and is timely taken in good faith from a person who is engaged in the business of selling tangible personal property and who holds a California seller’s permit.
Blog
Secrets of a California Sales Tax Audit Defense
Sales tax audits are one of the areas of practice that I am most proud of at our firm. We have dealt with some very difficult cases and gotten some really phenomenal results.
Blog
Should I Hire a California Sales Tax Lawyer to Help Me With My Sales Tax Audit?
While dealing with the fallout of a CDTFA sales tax audit is rarely pleasant, it is possible to mitigate the effect on your business, if you have the right help.
Blog
How to Prepare for a California Sales Tax Audit
Preparing and organizing materials for a California sales tax audit is by and large a unique process based on the individual facts and circumstances of a particular matter.
Blog
What Triggers a Sales Tax Audit in California?
A sales tax audit occurs when the CDTFA suspects a business’s reported sales have been understated. Most commonly, this occurs in situations where there is a “mismatch” or an incongruency between the sales tax returns filed with CDTFA and what was reported to other agencies (like the IRS).
Blog
What Is California Sales Tax?
Most people are quite familiar with the concept of sales taxes on a very basic level. After all, we all buy stuff and, when we do, there is a tax associated with those purchases.
Blog
The Ultimate Guide to California Sales Tax Audits
Our law firm has dedicated the time and the resources to creating our complete guide to California sales tax audits. We wanted to put together the best resource on the internet for taxpayers faced with the prospect of a CDTFA audit
CDTFA
Do I Need a Sales Tax Attorney to Fight the CDTFA?
CDTFA agents work for the state government and are thus motivated to collect. Do not expect them to give you a break if you owe sales taxes.
CDTFA
Defining Collections Resolutions with the CDTFA
If you have a lien issued by the CDTFA, there are some instances that taxpayers can set up a payment plan. Find out how in this article.
CDTFA
What Happens If I Purchase a Business with a Tax Liability?
Buyer beware! When a business is purchased, the CDTFA will first attempt to collect back taxes from its predecessor. If unsuccessful, the buyer will receive a notice of liability.
The Ultimate Guide To California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) Collections
In these articles, San Diego tax attorney, Sam Brotman, explains tax procedure and the California Franchise Tax Board for the benefits of businesses and business owners.
CDTFA
How Do CDTFA Tax Liens Work?
Do you have a tax lien stating the CDTFA has a legal claim to your personal or real property? Here’s what you need to know.
CDTFA
How Does the CDTFA Conduct Assessments and Collections?
Are you aware that in a sales-tax-collection matter, the CDTFA will assess as many people as it can – from corporate officers to shareholders?
CDTFA
What Are the Consequences of Not Paying Sales Tax?
The consequences of neglecting to pay taxes either by the filing date or through an installment plan could be catastrophic.
Blog
The Ultimate Guide to California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) Collections
Do you sell goods in the state of California? Understanding why you pay such high sales taxes might take the sting out of shelling out. Then again, it might not.
RESULTS PER PAGE
- 10
- 25
- 50
Get Our Strategy Overview
Download our complete strategy overview — free.
Your email is confidential. We respect your privacy and will never share your information.
The Audit Process Step by Step
Here’s what happens from the moment you receive an audit notice to resolution:
- Notice received — The IRS sends a letter explaining what they’re examining and what documentation they need
- Power of Attorney filed — We sign Form 2848, which means the IRS talks to us, not you
- Document review — We review every document before anything goes to the IRS. We provide exactly what’s needed — nothing more
- Examination — The IRS reviews your records. For office and field audits, we attend all meetings in your place
- Proposed adjustments — If the IRS wants to make changes, they issue a written proposal. We review it line by line
- Negotiation or appeal — We challenge anything we disagree with. If we can’t resolve it at the exam level, we take it to appeals
- Resolution — Case closed. We make sure you understand the outcome and what it means going forward
Why You Need Professional Representation
Here’s the reality: anything you say to the IRS can be used against you. Even an innocent statement can be misinterpreted, taken out of context, or used to expand the scope of your audit.
Your CPA probably filed your return. That’s great. But filing a return and defending one are two completely different skills. You wouldn’t send your dentist to perform heart surgery — the same logic applies.
A qualified tax attorney knows IRS procedures inside and out, understands the legal standards the IRS must meet, and knows exactly how to position your case for the best possible outcome.
Appeals & Next Steps
If you disagree with the audit results, you have the right to appeal. The IRS Office of Appeals is independent from the examination division, and they settle the majority of cases they hear.
We’ve won over 100 appeals by building cases that are thoroughly documented and legally sound. The key is presenting a clear, well-organized argument that makes it easier for the appeals officer to rule in your favor.
If appeals doesn’t resolve it, the next step is Tax Court. We’re prepared for that too, but in our experience, most cases settle well before they get to trial.
How to Prevent Future Audits
Once your audit is resolved, the last thing you want is another one. Here’s what we recommend to minimize your risk:
- Keep meticulous records — especially for deductions and business expenses
- Report all income — even if you didn’t receive a 1099
- File on time, every time
- Use actual calculated figures rather than round numbers — while not a major audit trigger on its own, it’s a best practice that signals accuracy in your records
- Work with a qualified tax professional who understands your situation
- Consider a proactive tax strategy engagement to optimize your structure and reduce risk
Want to make sure this doesn’t happen again? After resolving your audit, we can help restructure your taxes to minimize future risk. It’s the other side of what we do — and it’s just as important as the defense. Learn about our tax strategies →
Frequently Asked Questions
CDTFA Tax Defense FAQs
What is the CDTFA and how is it different from the FTB?
The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) administers sales and use tax, along with over 30 other tax and fee programs including fuel, tobacco, cannabis, and tire fees. The FTB handles income and franchise taxes. The CDTFA has its own audit process, penalty structure, and appeals system. If you receive a notice from the CDTFA, it relates to transaction-based taxes — not income tax — and requires specialized defense strategies.
How does the CDTFA calculate sales tax liability in an audit?
When your records are incomplete, the CDTFA uses estimation methods — commonly markup analysis, bank deposit analysis, or observation testing. These methods often overstate liability significantly. For example, in a markup audit, the CDTFA may apply industry-average markups that do not reflect your actual business operations. We challenge these methods by presenting actual business data, identifying errors in the CDTFA’s sampling methodology, and proposing more accurate alternatives.
Can I appeal a CDTFA audit assessment?
Yes. After receiving a Notice of Determination, you can file a petition for redetermination within 30 days. This initiates an administrative review process. If you disagree with the result, you can appeal to the California Office of Tax Appeals (OTA). You may also pay the assessment and file a claim for refund, then pursue the matter in Superior Court. Each path has strategic trade-offs, and we advise clients based on the strength of their case and the amounts involved.
Am I personally liable for my business’s unpaid sales tax?
Potentially, yes. Under California Revenue and Taxation Code Section 6829, the CDTFA can assess personal liability against any person who had responsibility for collecting and remitting sales tax — including officers, directors, members, and managers. This is called a dual determination or responsible person assessment. We defend against personal liability assessments by challenging both the underlying tax and the basis for individual responsibility.
Get Started Today
Book Your Free 15-Minute Call
Schedule a brief call with our team to discuss your situation. We’ll assess where things stand and outline your options — confidentially and without obligation.
- Completely confidential — protected by attorney-client privilege
- Every situation is different — you’ll receive a custom assessment tailored to yours
- Same-day and next-day appointments available