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Sales tax registration and payments

Find CDTFA seller permits, sales/use tax filings, payments, rate maps and actual California field offices.

Before you start

  • SOS entity registration, CDTFA seller permits, professional licenses and local business licenses are separate requirements.
  • Choose your actual entity or profession and location; use the official instructions before entering private information.
  • Check city/county business licensing and county fictitious business names separately. This statewide guide does not complete every local workflow.

1 guide with reviewed service links · El Dorado

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California state agency · Statewide

California CDTFA — Seller’s Permits & Sales Tax

Statewide California programme; local business licensing and individual eligibility remain separate.

Check whether you need a seller’s permit (opens in a new tab)Official instructions

Review taxable goods and California business activity. Seller permits are free, but a security deposit may be required.

Service area: California statewide programme; the responsible programme and individual eligibility still apply. Area details & sources

Service availability

A seller’s permit is separate from a city/county business license; check the local requirements too.

Official information checked October 16, 2026 · Details & sources

Source checked October 16, 2026

California Department of Tax and Fee Administration · California Department of Tax and Fee Administration — Obtaining a Seller's Permit (opens in a new tab)

Main content — Who must obtain a seller's permit?

Who must obtain a seller's permit?

Saved evidence: 1799f5ee560f3fad · Agent source review

Prepare and start CDTFA registration (opens in a new tab)Official instructions

Gather identity, business and sales estimates, then follow official registration instructions. Requirements vary by entity and tax programme.

Service area: California statewide programme; the responsible programme and individual eligibility still apply. Area details & sources

Source checked October 16, 2026

California Department of Tax and Fee Administration · California Department of Tax and Fee Administration — Launch service: Sales and use tax permits, licenses, or accounts (opens in a new tab)

Main content — Register for a permit, license, or account

Register for a permit, license, or account

Saved evidence: 0b67cfc17a2a04a2 · Agent source review

Find the sales tax rate at an address (opens in a new tab)Official instructions

Use the official address or coordinate map. Check the matched point and the date; city and county boundaries can change.

Service area: California statewide programme; the responsible programme and individual eligibility still apply. Area details & sources

Service availability

Confirm the matched map point. The result is today’s rate for that point; rates and city/county boundaries may change.

Official information checked October 16, 2026 · Details & sources

Source checked October 16, 2026

California Department of Tax and Fee Administration · California Department of Tax and Fee Administration — public referred entry (opens in a new tab)

Main content — Find a Sales and Use Tax Rate

Find a Sales and Use Tax Rate

Saved evidence: e610ac95c809ad38 · Agent source review

File or amend a sales/use tax return (opens in a new tab)Official instructions

Use your assigned filing frequency and account instructions. A return is still required when there are no sales to report.

Service area: California statewide programme; the responsible programme and individual eligibility still apply. Area details & sources

Source checked October 16, 2026

California Department of Tax and Fee Administration · California Department of Tax and Fee Administration — File a Return (opens in a new tab)

Main content — File a Return

File a Return

Saved evidence: 7959ed77ec8e6d46 · Agent source review

Compare payment methods and charges (opens in a new tab)Official instructions

Find bank, card, check and EFT instructions. Card vendor fees and mandatory EFT requirements are separate from tax owed.

Service area: California statewide programme; the responsible programme and individual eligibility still apply. Area details & sources

Source checked October 16, 2026

California Department of Tax and Fee Administration · California Department of Tax and Fee Administration — Payments (opens in a new tab)

Main content — Make a Payment

Make a Payment

Saved evidence: b9c9d02560207311 · Agent source review

Ask about a past-due payment plan (opens in a new tab)Official instructions

Follow CDTFA payment-plan instructions if you cannot pay the full past-due balance; eligibility and account terms require agency confirmation.

Service area: California statewide programme; the responsible programme and individual eligibility still apply. Area details & sources

Source checked October 16, 2026

California Department of Tax and Fee Administration · California Department of Tax and Fee Administration — Payments (opens in a new tab)

Main content — Do you offer payment plans?

Do you offer payment plans?

Saved evidence: b9c9d02560207311 · Agent source review

Update, transfer or close a seller account (opens in a new tab)Official instructions

Report address, ownership or partner changes. Stop-business cancellation and buying a business require separate attention.

Service area: California statewide programme; the responsible programme and individual eligibility still apply. Area details & sources

Service availability

Buying a business may require a new permit and tax clearance. Successor liability can make a buyer responsible for a seller’s outstanding liabilities; check with CDTFA before purchase.

Official information checked October 16, 2026 · Details & sources

Service availability

Notify CDTFA of buying, selling, stopping or partner/ownership changes. A divorce decree without direct notification is not sufficient notice.

Official information checked October 16, 2026 · Details & sources

Source checked October 16, 2026

California Department of Tax and Fee Administration · California Department of Tax and Fee Administration — Obtaining a Seller's Permit (opens in a new tab)

Main content — Should I tell the CDTFA if I change my business address or mailing address?

Should I tell the CDTFA if I change my business address or mailing address?

Saved evidence: 1799f5ee560f3fad · Agent source review

Find a California sales-tax field office (opens in a new tab)Official instructions

Browse the 19 published California field-office locations below. Check lunch closures, call ahead about your transaction and follow the cash-payment rules.

Service area: California statewide programme; the responsible programme and individual eligibility still apply. Area details & sources

Source checked October 16, 2026

California Department of Tax and Fee Administration · California Department of Tax and Fee Administration — Office Locations (opens in a new tab)

Main content — California Offices

California Offices

Saved evidence: 7ea5b3ff1825666e · Agent source review

Full guide, contact details & sources →