Top-Rated California CPAs

California has unique tax codes, operational processes, and resolution options. If you're dealing with a state tax problem, a local CPA has the knowledge and experience required to solve that problem. 

Additionally, local CPAs are focused on providing their clients with the highest level of personalized services. In contrast, the big tax relief firms tend to lack experience with the tax laws in California, and they are notorious for using aggressive sales tactics to push clients into programs that aren't necessarily the best option for their situations.

In addition to looking at CPAs, you may also want to consider hiring a tax attorney or an enrolled agent. All three of these tax pros can represent you in front of the IRS or your state revenue agency, but CPAs tend to be the best option if you have a lot of complicated accounting or want help with tax planning. Regardless of the type of tax pro you hire, it's critical to find someone who has experience with your particular problem.

If you want in-person assistance, the IRS has the following locations in California. Call (844) 545-5640 to ask about hours or to make an appointment:

Los Angeles

300 N. Los Angeles St. Room 1259

Los Angeles, CA 90012

Fresno

2525 Capitol St.

Fresno, CA 93721

Visalia

5300 W. Tulare St.

Visalia, CA 93277

Bakersfield

212 Coffee Rd., Suite 200

Bakersfield, CA 93309

Modesto

1700 Standiford Avenue Suite 150

Modesto, CA 95350

Salinas

928 East Blanco Rd., Suite 121

Salinas, CA 93901

Stockton

4643 Quail Lakes Dr., Suite 202

Stockton, CA 95207

Santa Maria

2384 Professional Parkway

Santa Maria, CA 93455

San Jose

55 S. Market St., Suite 100

San Jose, CA 95113

Walnut Creek

185 Lennon Ln.

Walnut Creek, CA 94598

Carpinteria

1145 Eugenia Place, Suite 201

Carpinteria, CA 93013

Sacramento

4330 Watt Ave.

Sacramento, CA 95821

Oakland

1301 Clay St., Suite 160S

Oakland, CA 94612

Camarillo

751 E. Daily Dr.

Camarillo, CA 93010

San Francisco

450 Golden Gate Ave.

San Francisco, CA 94102

Van Nuys

6230 Van Nuys Blvd.

Van Nuys, CA 91401

El Monte

9350 East Flair Dr.

El Monte, CA 91731

Santa Rosa

777 Sonoma Ave.

Santa Rosa, CA 95404

Long Beach

501 W. Ocean Blvd.

Long Beach, CA 90802

San Bernardino

290 N. D St.

San Bernardino, CA 92401

Santa Ana

801 Civic Center Drive W.

Santa Ana, CA 92701

Las Vegas

110 N. City Parkway

Las Vegas, NV 89106

Laguna Niguel

24000 Avila Rd.

Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

Chico

1395 Ridgewood Dr.

Chico, CA 95973

Palm Springs

556 S. Paseo Dorotea

Palm Springs, CA 92264

San Marcos

1 Civic Center Dr.

San Marcos, CA 92069

Redding

850 Industrial St.

Redding, CA 96002

San Diego

880 Front St., Suite 1247

San Diego, CA 92101

El Centro

2345 S. Second St.

El Centro, CA 92243

At all of the above IRS locations, you can ask questions about your account and get basic help with tax law issues. You can also make payments with checks or money orders, and some locations accept cash if you have the exact change. Additionally, you can pick up tax forms, apply for payment plans on back taxes, and file Form 911 to request assistance from the Taxpayer Advocate Service.

LITCs offer tax help to people who meet income guidelines or other eligibility requirements. Typically, to get help, your income must be at or below 250% of the poverty line, and you must be dealing with an issue related to $50,000 or less in tax. Here are the LITCs in California with their phone numbers:

Bet Tzedek Legal Services Tax Clinic

City: Los Angeles

Phone: 323-939-0506

KYCC Low Income Taxpayer Clinic

City: Los Angeles

Phone: 213-365-7400

Pepperdine LITC

City: Los Angeles

Phone: 213-673-4831

Bookstein Low Income Taxpayer Clinic

City: Los Angeles

Phone: 818-677-3688

Taxpayers Help Center LITC

City: Northridge

Phone: 818-488-1388

Chapman University Tax Law Clinic

City: Orange

Phone: 877-242-7529 , 714-628-2535

Inland Counties Legal Services LITC

City: Riverside

Phone: 888-245-4257 , 951-368-2555

Legal Aid Society of San Diego LITC

City: San Diego

Phone: 877-534-2524

University of San Diego LITC

City: San Diego

Phone: 619-260-7470

Chinese Newcomers Service Center

City: San Francisco

Phone: 415-421-2111

Justice and Diversity Center of the Bar Association of San Francisco

City: San Francisco

Phone: 415-782-8978

UC Law SF LITC

City: San Francisco

Phone: 415-703-8287

Herald Community Center

City: San Gabriel

Phone: 626-286-2600

Cal Poly Low Income Taxpayer Clinic

City: San Luis Obispo

Phone: 877-318-6772 , 805-756-2951

Public Law Center

City: Santa Ana

Phone: 888-230-3741, 714-541-1010

Enrolled agents and CPAs can both represent you in front of the IRS and the Franchise Tax Board (FTB), the Employment Development Department (EDD), the State Board of Equalization (SBE), and the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA), but they have slightly different training and qualifications. To help you find the right choice for your needs, this guide looks at the similarities and differences between these two tax professionals. 

If you have tax problems, you need tax resolution services. Tax resolution services can help taxpayers with unfiled tax returns and unpaid taxes, but these services also include audit representation, tax appeals, and help with collection actions. If you're dealing with a tax problem on the state or federal level, check out this guide to learn more about the services you need.

Unfortunately, there are several big companies in the tax relief industry that put profits in front of consumers. This guide explains the red flags to be aware of when you're contacting tax relief companies for free consultations. Bottom line—be wary of big promises from salespeople who aren't licensed tax pros.

The Franchise Tax Board (FTB), the Employment Development Department (EDD), the State Board of Equalization (SBE), and the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) can take severe action against you if you don't pay your individual or business taxes. However, the state also has options to help you get out of tax debt. This article explains what can happen if you don't pay your state taxes, and then, it outlines options for dealing with California tax problems.