Use this site to sort out which California agency is involved, what the notice or collection action may mean, and what you can do next before the issue becomes more complicated.
FTB usually means California income tax. EDD usually means payroll tax or employer account issues.
Notice, balance due, garnishment, payment plan question, or payroll filing issue each points to a different path.
When thresholds, forms, or procedures matter, use the official FTB or EDD page linked from the guide.
Start with the agency and problem pattern before worrying about programs or outcomes.
State income tax balances, withholding orders, wage garnishments, and payment-plan questions.
EDDPayroll tax filings, employer account issues, installment-agreement materials, and taxpayer advocate routes.
IRS overlapFederal tax issues can overlap, but California state-side workflows still run through the right California agency.
Not sure / OtherUse the routing page if the notice is confusing or the agency is not immediately clear.
Start by matching the notice to the agency and issue type.
I have a balance dueA California income tax balance often routes to FTB. Payroll-tax balances often route to EDD.
My wages or account are being affectedFTB withholding orders and garnishments need a different response path than a basic notice.
I need a payment planPayment-plan rules depend on the agency, filing status, and whether collection actions are already active.
I have a payroll or employer tax issueEDD is usually the right path for payroll tax registration, filing, remittance, and employer-account issues.
Use these pages to identify the agency, understand the notice or collection issue, and see the next likely step before deciding whether you want follow-up.
This site is not a law firm and does not promise outcomes. The form is optional, and official FTB and EDD resources remain available directly through those agencies.
Ted Zuhlsdorf has spent the last 20 years helping connect people facing tax problems with experienced tax-resolution professionals. This site was created to help readers better understand California tax notices, agency differences, and possible next steps before deciding whether they want follow-up.
If follow-up requests are enabled later, requests may be shared with a small, curated group of licensed Enrolled Agents with years of experience helping people navigate California and IRS tax issues. For now, the guide pages and official agency resources are the active public path.
Follow-up requests are not enabled on the live site yet
You can still use the guide pages to identify the agency, understand the notice or collection issue, and review the next likely step. Official FTB and EDD resources remain available directly through those agencies.