Help with FTB Franchise Tax Issue - Online Tools vs. Direct Contact?
Hey everyone, I'm dealing with a franchise tax issue and I'm not sure where to start. Has anyone here had experience with this? I've heard about some online tools for tax analysis, but I'm not sure if they're reliable. Any advice would be appreciated!
19 comments


Emily Nguyen-Smith
Ugh, franchise taxes are the worst! I had to deal with them last year and it was a nightmare. Have you tried contacting the Franchise Tax Board directly? Sometimes they can be surprisingly helpful.
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James Johnson
•Lol helpful? FTB? Are we talking about the same agency? 🤣 I've been on hold with them for hours!
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Sophia Rodriguez
•Same boat here. Spent half my day listening to their hold music. Its like they dont want us to pay our taxes 🙄
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Emily Nguyen-Smith
•Ok, fair point 😅 Maybe I just got lucky that one time. But seriously, persistence is key with these guys.
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Mia Green
I found a method to get someone on the phone. I used this site's (claimyr.com) calling tool that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, waits for a live agent to pick up, then sends the call to my phone. It does cost $20, but it works. Here's a video about it: https://youtu.be/XbqD8mexcoQ
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Emma Bianchi
•Sounds too good to be true. Has anyone else tried this?
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Lucas Kowalski
•20 bucks? Idk man, seems kinda steep just to talk to someone...
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Mia Green
•I get the skepticism, but trust me, it's worth it. Saved me hours of frustration. And yeah, $20 isn't cheap, but my time is worth more than that.
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Olivia Martinez
•Just tried it. Holy cow, it actually worked! Got through in about 45 minutes without having to stay on hold myself. 💯
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Charlie Yang
Have you considered using a tax professional? They can be expensive, but sometimes its worth it to have an expert handle these things, especially if youre dealing with complex franchise tax issues.
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Grace Patel
OK, let me break this down for you. I've been dealing with franchise taxes for years, and here's what you need to know: 1. First, determine if you actually owe franchise tax. Some states have minimum thresholds. 2. Gather all your financial documents. You'll need income statements, balance sheets, etc. 3. Check if your state offers any online filing systems. Many do, and it can streamline the process. 4. If you're really stuck, consider using a tax preparation software specifically designed for businesses. 5. Don't forget about deadlines! Late filing can result in hefty penalties. 6. Keep records of everything. The FTB loves documentation. Remember, every state has different rules for franchise taxes. Make sure you're following the specific guidelines for your location. And if all else fails, yeah, a tax pro might be your best bet. Good luck!
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Edison Estevez
•Wow, thank you so much for this detailed response! This is incredibly helpful. I'll definitely start by double-checking if I actually owe the tax and then gather my documents. Really appreciate you taking the time to write this out!
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ApolloJackson
•This guy franchises 👆
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Isabella Russo
•Saving this comment for later. Solid advice right here!
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Rajiv Kumar
Anyone else feel like the whole franchise tax system is just a way for the government to squeeze more money out of small businesses? 🙄 It's getting harder and harder to stay afloat these days.
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Aria Washington
•Preach! 🙌 Sometimes it feels like they're actively trying to make it impossible for us to succeed.
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Liam O'Reilly
•C'mon guys, it's not that bad. These taxes fund important services. We all gotta do our part.
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Rajiv Kumar
•Found the government plant 👀
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Chloe Delgado
Hey OP, have you checked out r/smallbusiness? They have a lot of resources and discussions about handling various business taxes, including franchise taxes. Might be worth a look!
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