Local tax guides for Silicon Valley
Start with the tax question you need to resolve. These guides explain where to find official instructions and what records or questions to prepare before contacting a professional.
Business taxes and records
Small-business accounting in San Jose: bookkeeping, city tax and seller permits
Build the accounting scope around your actual activities. San Jose’s business tax certificate and California sales-tax registration are separate checks alongside monthly books.
San Jose sales tax for businesses: CDTFA rates, seller permits and records
Check California sales-tax obligations with CDTFA and use its address-rate lookup for the relevant location. San Jose business tax registration is a separate city task.
Property taxes and records
San Jose property tax: Santa Clara County bills, assessments and supplemental tax
For San Jose property in Santa Clara County, separate the assessed value from the bill and payment record. A supplemental notice may concern a different period from the annual bill.
Personal and estate tax records
California inheritance and estate tax: San Jose transfers and records
A California estate-tax return is not required for deaths on or after January 1, 2005. Income from inherited assets and property reassessment are separate questions; an inherited San Jose home is not automatically free of tax consequences.
California retirement income tax: San Jose pensions, benefits and residence
California generally follows federal pension/annuity treatment with important differences. Social Security has a state adjustment, and resident, part-year and nonresident retirement payments require separate checks.
Personal income and sale records
California capital gains tax: San Jose sale and filing guide
California taxes capital gains as ordinary income; it does not have a lower state rate for long-term gains. A favorable federal capital-gain rate is not a California rate. The taxable gain is also different from the total sale proceeds.
Vehicle purchases and registration
California vehicle sales tax: San Jose buying and registration guide
A California dealer purchase and a private-party purchase use different collection routes. Use tax generally applies to a vehicle bought from a private party or outside California for use here when no exemption applies.
State income and filing
California income tax: rates and San Jose filing questions
FTB provides tax-year and filing-status-specific tables and rate schedules. The reviewed calculator is for 2025 only and excludes Form 540 2EZ and prior years. A 2025 calculator result is not a verified 2026 tax estimate.