Agency contacts for small businesses
- 1901 Zanker Road San Jose, CA 95112 408-216-6200 edd.ca.gov
- Responsible for Unemployment and State Disability Insurance. Collect payroll taxes. Maintain employment records for workers statewide. Connect job seekers with employers.
- Pay Unemployment Insurance and Employment Training Tax (employer contributions), State Disability Insurance, and Personal Income Tax.
- 515 Clay Street, Suite 305 Oakland, CA 94612 1-800-338-0505 1-510-622-4693 ftb.ca.gov
- Helps taxpayers file tax returns timely, accurately, and pay the correct amount
- Find information on doing business in California, sales/property/business taxes, income types, industry-specific taxes, available tax credits, etc.
- 1325 J Street, #1800 Sacramento, CA 95814 1-877-345-4633 calgold.ca.gov
- CalGOLD contains direct links and contact information for local permitting authorities
- Find permitting information for your area.
- 100 Paseo de San Antonio, Suite 120 San Jose, CA 95113 1-833-526-4636 408-277-1266 dir.ca.gov/dlse
- Supports workplaces by enforcing labor laws.
- To check if you or your business have unpaid judgments. Learn about labor laws, payroll taxes, paid leave, etc. Get licenses, permits, registrations, and certificates.
- 515 Clay Street, Suite 1901 Oakland, CA 94612 510-286-7000 dir.ca.gov/dosh
- Protects and improves the health and safety of workers in California by setting and enforcing standards, conducting outreach, etc.
- To report a workplace accident. For workplace postings and recordkeeping. To develop an injury & illness prevention program.
- 1500 11th Street Sacramento, CA 95814 916-653-6814 sos.ca.gov
- Business Programs Division supports businesses by registering entities and trademarks
- To register a business, file a Statement of Information, reserve a Business Entity Name, register a trademark, etc.
- 70 W. Hedding Street East Wing, 1st Floor San Jose, CA 95110 408-299-5688 clerkrecorder.sccgov.org
- Records or files authorized documents, registers all births, deaths, and public marriages occurring in the county, performs filing of Fictitious Business Name statements, filing of Notary Bonds, registration of professional agents., etc.
- The purpose of registering a Fictitious Business Name (FBN) is to ensure that consumers have access to the true name and address of the owners of a business
- 1555 Berger Drive, Suite 300 San Jose, CA 95112 408-918-3400 ehinfo.org
- Protects public health and the environment as well as implements and enforces environmental laws. Regulates food safety, swimming pools, drinking water, wastewater, and hazardous waste.
- Get permits for sale and service of food (including home kitchens, food carts, and temporary events), tobacco sales, etc. Make annual payment. File complaints.
- 200 Constitution Ave, NW Washington, DC 20210 1-866-487-2365 employer.gov
- Support workers, job seekers, and retirees in the United States. Improve working conditions. Ensure workplace benefits and rights.
- Resources for employers, understanding pay and benefits, for workplace postings, workplace safety responsibilities, and more
- 55 S Market Street, Suite 100 San Jose, CA 95113 408-283-1569 irs.gov
- Administer federal tax system.
- Get an Employer Identification Number (EIN). Pay and report federal income taxes, report wages, tips, and other compensation paid to employees. Pay social security, Medicare, and Additional Medicare Tax withholdings. File taxes.
Resource guides for small businesses
State and federal resources
State
- California Employer's Guide (DE 44)- A complete guide for businesses in California. (link) 2023 California Employer's Guide (DE 44) Rev. 49 (1-23)
- Starting a Business- The California Secretary of State provides a step-by-step guide to assist those who are starting their own business. (link) Starting a Business: California Secretary of State
- CalGold The Gold Standard for Permit Assistance- (link) CalGold Home Page The Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development provides this website to assist in finding appropriate permit information for your business. It also provides contact information for the various agencies that administer and issue these permits.
- Support for Small Businesses-(link) Small Business Portal (ca.gov) A web site created by the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) to guide individuals through the proper steps to get their business started of those who currently own their own business.
- State Law and Payroll Tax Seminar –(link) Payroll Tax Seminars (ca.gov) Presented by the (link) California Department of Industrial Relations - Home Page CA Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE) in conjunction with the CA Employment Development Department (EDD) (link) Employers (ca.gov). There is no charge for this seminar. Reservations are highly recommended as the seminars are often full to capacity. You will receive information on record keeping, reporting requirements, employer obligations, wage payment requirements, common wage and hour law applications, employer and employee rights, and responsibilities.
- Training Resources for Employers (link) Training Resources for Employers (ca.gov)- California EDD provides information on employee no-fee training and services available throughout California.
Federal
- Small Business Fact Sheet | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (link) Small Business Fact Sheet | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (eeoc.gov)- A one-page fact sheet that provides a user-friendly overview of the legal obligations of small businesses under the federal employment anti-discrimination laws.