California Sales & Use Tax Consulting Services
Recover overpaid taxes. Defend against assessments. Make confident tax decisions. ARC helps California businesses navigate sales and use tax audits, identify exemptions and refunds, and strengthen compliance—without the guesswork.
From CDTFA audit defense and reverse audits to specialized manufacturing, food processing, and winery tax consulting, our team focuses on the tax issues that affect your operations and bottom line.
Find the Right Sales Tax Service for Your Business
Whether you have received an audit notice, suspect past overpayments, or need help applying California tax rules, choose the service that matches your situation. Each specialty below links to a detailed page or a consultation.
Reverse Audits & Refund Recovery
Find overlooked exemptions and recover eligible sales and use tax overpayments.
A reverse audit examines historical invoices, purchases, equipment acquisitions, and use tax payments to identify amounts that may have been paid unnecessarily. ARC evaluates refund opportunities, prepares supporting documentation, and assists with refund claims. Reverse audit engagements are generally offered on a contingency-fee basis, subject to an engagement agreement.
Explore Reverse Audits & RefundsCalifornia Sales Tax Audit Defense
Get experienced guidance when CDTFA reviews your business.
From the first audit notice through records requests, sampling methods, workpapers, and proposed assessments, ARC helps you respond accurately and address questionable findings. Audit defense is generally billed on a time-and-expense basis; other arrangements may be available for certain matters.
Explore Audit DefenseManufacturing Sales Tax Exemptions
Evaluate machinery and equipment purchases for available partial exemptions.
California manufacturers may qualify for a partial sales and use tax exemption on eligible equipment and related purchases. ARC reviews qualifying activities, equipment use, invoices, and exemption documentation and identifies potential refunds where tax was overpaid.
Explore Manufacturing ExemptionsFood Processing Sales Tax Exemptions
Review processing equipment and production purchases for potential tax savings.
Food producers and processors may have opportunities under manufacturing and other applicable sales and use tax rules. ARC examines production operations, equipment purchases, and documentation to identify potential exemptions and refund opportunities.
Explore Food Processing ExemptionsWinery Sales & Use Tax Consulting
Specialized tax review for wineries, vineyards, and wine production operations.
Winery operations can involve production equipment, agricultural activities, packaging, tasting-room sales, and complex purchase patterns. ARC helps assess which rules apply to specific transactions and whether prior overpayments may be recoverable.
Explore Winery Tax ServicesGeneral Sales & Use Tax Consulting
Make more confident decisions about exemptions, invoices, reporting, and documentation.
ARC reviews sales and purchase transactions, tax reporting practices, and exemption support to help identify missed opportunities and compliance risks. General consulting is typically billed on a time-and-expense basis.
Discuss General ConsultingManaged Audit Program (MAP) Assistance
Navigate a CDTFA-managed self-audit with experienced support.
For eligible taxpayers, CDTFA's Managed Audit Program allows a business to perform agreed-upon audit work under CDTFA guidance. A qualifying managed audit may provide reduced interest on liabilities identified through the program. ARC helps evaluate suitability, organize records, and complete the review. Fees are generally time and expense.
Ask About MAP AssistanceVoluntary Disclosure Program (VDP) Assistance
Address certain unreported California use tax obligations proactively.
California offers voluntary disclosure programs for certain eligible in-state purchasers and out-of-state businesses. Benefits and lookback periods depend on the program and acceptance requirements; voluntary contact must generally occur before CDTFA initiates relevant contact. ARC can help evaluate eligibility and prepare an application. Fees are generally time and expense.
Discuss Voluntary DisclosureHow ARC Helps You Move Forward
We focus on the facts, the applicable California rules, and the documentation needed to support your position.
Tell us about your business, the tax issue, and any notices or deadlines.
Evaluate invoices, returns, purchases, audit workpapers, or exemption documentation.
Identify potential refunds, defensible positions, or steps toward compliance.
Assist with submissions, auditor communications, claims, and future procedures.
Industries We Serve
Different industries face different sales and use tax questions. ARC evaluates transactions and exemptions in the context of your actual operations.
Explore our dedicated pages for manufacturing, food processing, and wineries and vineyards.
California Sales & Use Tax Services: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a reverse sales and use tax audit?
A reverse audit reviews past transactions to identify sales or use tax that may have been overpaid. It may uncover missed exemptions, vendor overcharges, or errors in tax accruals. Learn more about reverse audits and refund recovery.
What should I do if CDTFA selects my business for an audit?
Preserve the notice and related records, confirm deadlines, and understand the scope of the request. ARC can help evaluate audit methodology, documentation, and proposed adjustments. See California sales tax audit defense.
Are California manufacturing equipment purchases tax-exempt?
Some qualifying purchases may receive a partial sales and use tax exemption under California law. Eligibility depends on the purchaser, property, use, and other requirements. Review our manufacturing exemption services.
Can food processors and wineries recover overpaid sales tax?
Potentially. Eligible transactions may qualify for exemptions or refunds, subject to documentation, filing deadlines, and applicable rules. Explore food processing and winery tax consulting.
How does ARC charge for its services?
Reverse audits are generally offered on a contingency-fee basis. Audit defense, general consulting, Managed Audit Program assistance, and voluntary disclosure assistance are generally billed on a time-and-expense basis. Specific terms are confirmed in an engagement agreement.
What is CDTFA's Managed Audit Program?
For eligible taxpayers, the Managed Audit Program is an agreed-upon self-audit process performed with CDTFA guidance. The program can offer an interest benefit when its requirements are met. ARC can help assess whether it is appropriate for your business.
What is a California voluntary disclosure program?
California has voluntary disclosure options for certain taxpayers with unreported use tax obligations. Eligibility, periods covered, and available relief depend on program requirements. It is important to assess the facts before contacting CDTFA.
Does a cooperative (co-op) qualify for California's partial sales tax exemption on farm equipment or manufacturing equipment?
Potentially, yes—but cooperative status alone does not determine eligibility. A cooperative may qualify for a partial sales and use tax exemption on certain farm equipment or manufacturing equipment when the specific purchaser, equipment, activities, and use satisfy the requirements of the applicable California exemption. Agricultural equipment rules and manufacturing equipment rules are distinct, so a co-op that farms, processes, packs, or manufactures products should not assume the same exemption applies to every purchase. Ownership structure, how the equipment is used, qualifying activities, and documentation all matter. ARC can review the cooperative's operations and purchases to evaluate potential exemptions or refund opportunities. For manufacturing-specific information, see our manufacturing exemption page.
Does ARC guarantee a refund or a reduced assessment?
No. Outcomes depend on the law, the facts, supporting documentation, procedural requirements, and agency determinations. ARC works to identify and support defensible positions.
Could Your Business Be Overpaying California Sales Tax?
Whether you need audit representation, a refund review, or specialized exemption guidance, ARC can help you evaluate the options and decide how to proceed.
Prefer to call? Joan: 916-947-5160
Zach: 213-453-1816
Information on this page is general and does not constitute tax or legal advice. Eligibility for exemptions, refunds, managed audits, and voluntary disclosure depends on applicable law and individual circumstances. For official guidance, visit the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA).
Industry Experience
Agriculture (Farming)
Construction Contractors
Credit Unions
Entertainment
Food Producers
Lending Institutions
Manufacturing
Packaging
Printing
Restaurants
Technology
Utilities
Video Games
Wineries