facebook

Blog Post

CA Business Owners: New Retirement Requirement for Employers (UPDATE!)

renee • October 31, 2022

Did you know that by June of 2022 businesses with 5+ employees were required to provide retirement to their employees? After the recent signing of SB 1126, we have some updates to report regarding the CalSavers program, including penalties and businesses with 1+ employees. See below for updates!

A state sponsored program has been developed called CalSavers, a Roth IRA, that will provide millions of workers a chance to save retirement funds for their future. If employers do not already have a qualified plan in place, they will have to implement CalSavers, or another retirement plan, prior to the deadlines stated above.

It is recommended to 
explore all available options to you and your business before committing to a retirement plan.

Below are commonly asked question and helpful links from Paychex and Gusto with more information such as:


What is CalSavers?

CalSavers is a Roth individual retirement account (IRA) that is designed to give millions of workers in the State of California who lack access to an employer-sponsored qualified retirement plan, a chance to save for the future. CalSavers also will offer traditional IRAs. The difference between the two: Roth IRAs invest post-taxed earnings and withdrawals aren't taxed, while traditional IRAs invest pre-tax earnings and withdrawals will be taxed as income.

What are my requirements as an employer?

If you have 5 or more employees, the law requires you to either offer a qualified retirement plan through the private market, or give your employees access to the CalSavers program by the deadlines listed above.

If you already offer a retirement plan. you don't need to sign up for CalSavers. However, you do need to certify your exemption, 
which can be done online through the CalSavers website.

If you plan to use CalSavers, instead of a private market option, you’ll start by 
registering your business on the CalSavers website. (You’ll start on the same screen as employers who are certifying their exemptions.)


How much does CalSavers cost

As the employer, you won’t have to spend anything—CalSavers is entirely free for you to use.


However, your employees will have to pay an administration fee, taken from the assets in their accounts. Depending on the investment program they choose, they will pay an annual fee of between 0.825 and 0.95%.

Where do I file an exemption for CalSavers

If your company already sponsors an eligible retirement plan, you can file for exemption here: Click Here to Report an Exemption .


Please keep in mind that through CalSavers, employers cannot make contributions on behalf of their employees. If an employer wishes to make contributions or match, they will need to explore other retirement plans.

Notify payroll of any deductions that need to take place on employees payroll checks. The employer will be responsible for remitting the contributions to CalSavers after each pay period according to the deductions that took place on employee’s paychecks. These reports can be provided to you from the payroll department.


UPDATES (AS OF OCTOBER 2022) For CalSavers

  • The recent signing of SB1126 allows eligible employers with 1+ employees to register by December 31, 2025. Sole proprietors, self-employed and other entities that don't employ anyone other than the owners are excluded.
  • Employers will be notified, via letter, of their requirement to register. When an employer registers, they will need to enter in a an employee roster that provides basic information of employees and continue to update the roster with any new employees.
  • Employers that fail to register, provide necessary employee information at the time, provide new eligible employee information later, and/or fail to remit employee contribution will receive a fine of $250 per employee after receiving a notice of noncompliance from the Franchise Tax Board. This penalty will increase by $500 per employee after 180 days of notice, making the penalty $750 per employee.
  • An employer will first receive notice from the CalSavers program. The employer will have 90 days to comply before the FTB sends the first penalty notice (Form FTB 4230-A). After 180 days, the FTB will send a final notice of increased penalty (Form FTB 4230-B).


Resources :
Paychex Worx CalSavers Article

Gusto CalSavers Article
CA Treasurer - CalSavers Index
The official link to the CalSavers website is: https://www.calsavers.com/



The difference between CalSavers and a 401(k) plan.

Difference between CalSavers and 401k retirement plans
Deadline for businesses filing a BOI
February 19, 2025
The BOI reporting deadline has been extended to March 21, 2025, but more changes may be coming. Stay informed on the latest updates, compliance requirements, and what your business needs to do now. Read more on AdminBooks.
Computer screen with
February 5, 2025
Protect your QuickBooks Online account from fraud by enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA). Follow our step-by-step guide to secure your financial data today.
January 24, 2025
The Supreme Court has ruled to reinstate BOI Reporting.
January 20, 2025
The recent wildfires in Los Angeles County have devastated communities, leaving thousands dealing with property loss, displacement, and financial uncertainty. In response, both the IRS and the State of California have granted tax deadline extensions and financial relief to help individuals and businesses recover.
January 7, 2025
The new year is here, and with it comes an important deadline for business owners: January 31, 2025. If you’ve paid independent contractors, service providers, or freelancers $600 or more in 2024, you may need to file a 1099 form for them. With the deadline just weeks away, now is the time to get organized. Filing your 1099s on time not only avoids penalties but also keeps your business in good standing.
December 30, 2024
The requirements for filing Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reports under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) have shifted yet again. As of December 26, 2024, BOI filing is not currently required, following an order from the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals that restored an injunction against enforcing the CTA. However, this situation remains fluid and could change on short notice.
A reminder for end of the year accounting tasks for business owners
By Renee Daggett November 13, 2024
The end of the year is fast approaching! It’s time to wrap up those final tasks that can make a big difference in reducing stress and preparing your business for tax season. Here’s a handy checklist to help you complete important end-of-year to-dos: Record Your Vehicle’s Odometer Reading Note the odometer reading for any vehicles used for business. This is essential for calculating your business versus personal mileage usage. Ideally, you have a mileage log, but at the very least, an end-of-year reading will help determine your annual total. Count Your Inventory If your business holds inventory, you’re required to do a year-end count and record its value. This ensures accurate records for taxes and helps you start the new year on track. Collect W-9s from Vendors Check if you’ve paid any contractors or vendors over $600 throughout the year, as you’ll need to issue a 1099-NEC form for them or a 1099-MISC for rent or attorney payments. The IRS provides free forms (call 1-800-829-3676), but be sure to order early as they can take a couple of weeks to arrive. Back Up Your Data Make sure to back up all your data, especially financial records. Double-check that backups are copying correctly and consider keeping a second backup for added security. Verify Payroll Tax Rates For businesses with payroll, check if your state’s employment tax rates have changed for the upcoming year. You should have received a letter with any updated rates by early December. Send them to your payroll processing team ASAP. Copy Thermal Receipts Many receipts, like those from gas stations and office supply stores, are printed on thermal paper, which can fade over time. Make copies of these receipts, as the IRS requires readable details, not just credit card statements, in case of an audit. Schedule Corporate Minutes If applicable, make note of your corporate meeting dates for the coming year. Corporate minutes are often required annually, so it’s helpful to mark them in your calendar now. Review and Update Your Business Plan Reflect on your business goals. What are your revenue projections for 2024? Consider how they compare to 2023, and think about strategies to boost profits and streamline operations in the year ahead. Set a Closing Date in QuickBooks In QuickBooks, set a closing date and password to lock down your financial records, helping ensure accuracy and security for the year-end. Review Accounts Receivable and Payable Check your outstanding invoices and follow up with any clients who haven’t paid yet. Also, settle any bills you owe to maintain accurate records and cash flow. Assess Estimated Tax Payments Review your quarterly estimated tax payments to ensure they’re accurate. Making an extra payment by the end of the year can help avoid penalties and reduce next year’s tax burden. Evaluate Your Tax Deductions Look for any additional expenses you can deduct this year, like office supplies or software subscriptions. You may also want to contribute to retirement plans to maximize deductions. Analyze Business Expenses Go through your expenses to identify any unnecessary costs you could reduce or cut in the coming year. This can improve profitability and efficiency. Renew Business Licenses and Permits Check if any licenses or permits are expiring soon and renew them in advance. This helps avoid penalties and interruptions in business operations. Review and Update Employee Benefits Review your employee benefit plans, such as health insurance and retirement contributions, to ensure they’re competitive and compliant with regulations. Evaluate Your Financial Goals and Set New Ones Look at your business’s financial performance and set realistic goals for the next year. Whether it’s increasing revenue, reducing costs, or expanding services, setting measurable goals can help guide your strategy. Completing these tasks will help your business start the new year in a stronger position and make tax season that much smoother.
November 11, 2024
For businesses where tips and gratuities are common—such as salons, spas, or other service industries—knowing how to record these amounts correctly is essential. Tips need to be accurately recorded to ensure employees are paid properly and taxes are managed. Here’s a simple guide on handling tips in QuickBooks Online (QBO), with options to make your process as smooth as possible.
Grandparents learning about the tax liabilities of investing in their grand children.
September 4, 2024
Investing in your grandchild's future can be one of the most rewarding ways to secure their financial well-being. Whether you're contributing to a 529 College Savings Plan or setting up a UGMA/UTMA account, understanding the tax implications is key to maximizing your investment. Learn about gift tax exclusions, how to avoid the Kiddie Tax, and tips for using tax-advantaged accounts. This guide will help you make smart decisions for long-term growth while minimizing tax burdens. Discover how to invest wisely in your grandchildren's future! Read our complete guide now.
By Renee Daggett August 25, 2024
Want to save money in taxes WITHOUT working harder? One way is to shift income from a higher bracket taxpayer to a lower one or even a zero rate-bracket. Let me give you an example of how this can work.
More Posts
Share by: