California EDD Representation in Temecula & San Diego

California EDD Representation & Dispute Resolution

The California Employment Development Department (EDD) enforces numerous employment-related obligations affecting businesses of all sizes—from tech startups to construction contractors, retail franchises, and professional corporations. At The Law Office of Pietro Canestrelli, A.P.C., we provide comprehensive representation to businesses across Temecula, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, and throughout California in all matters involving the EDD.

Whether you’re facing an audit, appeal, or collections enforcement action, our legal team understands how to strategically defend your interests and limit your exposure to taxes, penalties, and other liabilities. We help California employers respond to worker classification audits, resolve UI and SDI disputes, and prepare for complex multi-agency audits that may involve the EDD, Franchise Tax Board (FTB), and IRS. Our approach balances deep legal knowledge with practical solutions tailored to your business model, whether you’re a small business, large employer, or a rapidly scaling company with a remote or gig-based workforce.

Why Expert EDD Representation Matters

1. Worker Classification & Employment Status Disputes

• Employee vs. Independent Contractor Misclassification
  Disputes over whether a worker should have been classified as an employee under the ABC Test (particularly post-AB 5).
• Retroactive Reclassification Assessments
  EDD seeks back taxes, penalties, and interest for prior years by retroactively classifying workers as employees.
• 1099 Contractor Disputes
  Challenges to businesses that issue 1099s but are audited for failure to treat those individuals as employees.
• Dual Role Employee/Owner Classification
  Issues where corporate shareholders, officers, or LLC members are compensated via draws but EDD treats them as W-2 employees.
• Gig-Economy Worker Disputes
  Application of Uber/Lyft classification precedents to smaller businesses using freelance or app-based workers.

2. Unemployment Insurance (UI) & Benefit Disputes

• UI Claim Protests
  Employers dispute eligibility of former employees claiming benefits.
• UI Benefit Charge Appeals
  Challenging EDD determinations that improperly charge the employer’s reserve account.
• Misconduct or Voluntary Quit Determinations
  Arguing that the employee quit or was terminated for cause, thus ineligible for UI benefits.
• Overpayment Determinations
  EDD seeks repayment from the employer for UI benefits already paid to the claimant.

3. State Disability Insurance (SDI) & Paid Family Leave (PFL) Issues

• SDI Contribution Errors
  Disputes involving underpayment, overpayment, or misreporting of SDI deductions.
• Employer Reporting Errors for PFL Claims
  Mistakes or mismatches in wage reporting that affect employee eligibility.
• Failure to Withhold SDI/PFL Properly
  Triggering penalties and back-assessments.
• Inaccurate Wage Reporting Affecting Benefits
  Errors during DE-9/DE-9C filing cycles that cause EDD to recalculate or deny benefits.

4. Employment Tax Return & Reporting Compliance

• Late or Missing DE-9/DE-9C Returns
  Filing delays or failures can trigger audits and penalties.
• Incorrect Wage Reporting
  Discrepancies between W-2s and DE-9 reports that flag employer accounts.
• Penalties for Late Deposits or Electronic Filing Failures
  Including automatic penalties even for minor errors.
• Officer Compensation Misreporting
  EDD often scrutinizes S-Corps and other entities for underreporting shareholder-employee wages.
• Payroll Recordkeeping Failures
  Audits often expand due to missing or incomplete books and records.

5. EDD Audit Representation

• Multi-Year Employment Tax Audits
  EDD may review 3–8 years of records in one investigation.
• Cross-Agency Audits (EDD + FTB + IRS)
  EDD shares data with other taxing authorities, compounding risk.
• EDD Field Office Interviews and Document Requests
  We handle all examiner communications and on-site visits.
• Audit Reconsiderations and Appeals
  Challenging findings via formal administrative channels.
• Negotiation of Audit Settlements
  When liability is unavoidable, we negotiate reduced assessments and penalties.

6. EDD Collections, Liens, & Payment Plans

• EDD Collection Defense (Levies, Liens, Garnishments)
  We intervene to stop forced collection actions.
• Installment Agreement Negotiation
  Structuring payment plans your business can afford.
• Release of EDD Tax Liens
  Removing existing liens on property or business assets.
• Successor Liability & Responsible Person Assessments
  Defending personal assessments against owners, officers, or buyers of businesses.
• Offer in Compromise (EDD)
  In rare cases, settling for less than full liability.

7. Employer Account & Registration Issues

• Improper EDD Account Setup or Closures
  Fixing errors made during EIN registration or account deactivation.
• Successor Employer Liability
  Liability inherited after asset or stock acquisitions.
• Business Entity Changes Not Reported to EDD
  (e.g., LLC converts to a corporation, triggering filing errors).
• Employer Identification Number (EIN) Confusion
  Errors transferring ownership or EDD records to the wrong account.

8. Compliance Consulting & Preventive Representation

• EDD Audit Readiness Reviews
  Proactively assess risk before the state initiates an audit.
• Classification Audit Support
  Reviewing your contractor vs. employee practices.
• Correcting Misfilings Before Audit
  Amending DE forms or payroll tax returns before assessments.
• Voluntary Disclosure Programs
  When available, resolving issues without triggering formal audits.
• Training for HR and Payroll Teams
  In-house workshops and training on proper worker classification, DE-9C filings, and EDD rules.

9. EDD Appeals Board Representation

• Petitions to the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board (CUIAB)
  Challenging final EDD determinations.
• Representation at Administrative Hearings
  Preparing witnesses, handling direct/cross-examination, and arguing case law.
• Superior Court Petitions for Judicial Review
  When administrative remedies are exhausted, pursuing court review of legal errors.

10. Payroll Tax Disputes & Compliance

• Payroll Tax Audit Defense
  Representation during EDD audits targeting underreported wages, unpaid payroll taxes, or unfiled returns.
• Late or Unpaid Payroll Tax Deposits
  Disputes over timeliness or accuracy of state tax deposits and resulting penalty assessments.
• Misclassification Affecting Payroll Tax Liability
  Defense when EDD reclassifies contractors as employees, triggering payroll tax exposure.
• Wage and Tax Statement Discrepancies
  Resolution of mismatches between DE-9/DE-9C reports, W-2s, and IRS filings.
• Failure to Withhold or Report Wages
  Assistance in correcting past reporting failures that affect tax and benefit calculations.

Why Choose the Law Office of Pietro Canestrelli for EDD Representation

When facing EDD audits, payroll tax disputes, or benefit charge assessments, you need experienced legal guidance tailored to California’s complex employment tax landscape. Here’s why businesses across California trust our firm. We understand the financial and operational pressure EDD actions place on business owners, and we’re here to shoulder that burden for you. Our goal is to resolve your matter with precision, professionalism, and the least possible disruption to your business.

 

• Deep Legal Expertise
  Our attorneys have extensive knowledge of California payroll tax laws and a strong track record of successfully resolving EDD audits, appeals, and collections matters.
• Customized Strategy
  We don’t apply cookie-cutter solutions. Each case receives a personalized legal approach based on your business structure, industry, and the specific EDD issues involved.
• Aggressive Advocacy
  We advocate relentlessly to protect your business interests—whether that means challenging a misclassification audit or negotiating reduced liability during settlement discussions.
• Efficient, Results-Driven Representation
  Our focus is on timely, strategic resolutions that reduce disruption, limit financial exposure, and move your business forward with confidence.
• Proven Success
  From startups to established corporations, we’ve helped clients across a range of industries prevail in EDD disputes, demonstrating our ability to deliver favorable results.

Contact Us Today

If you’re facing an EDD audit, payroll tax dispute, or employment classification issue in California, prompt legal guidance can make all the difference. At The Law Office of Pietro Canestrelli, A.P.C., we provide focused, results-driven representation for employers across Temecula, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, and statewide. Our team understands the intricacies of California employment tax laws and the aggressive tactics the EDD may use to pursue assessments, penalties, or collection actions.

We take a hands-on, strategic approach to every case, whether you’re disputing a misclassification, appealing a benefits charge, or negotiating a resolution to EDD tax liabilities. With experience handling both routine and high-stakes matters, we’re equipped to protect your business interests and minimize financial exposure.

Don’t wait until the EDD has taken enforcement action or issued a final determination. The earlier we’re involved, the more options we can pursue to favorably resolve your case. Contact The Law Office of Pietro Canestrelli today to schedule a confidential consultation and learn how we can assist you. Your business’s compliance, reputation, and financial stability may depend on it.