Since 1993, the Joint Enforcement Strike Force (JESF) on the underground
economy has been working to ensure fair competition among employers, and to ensure that
workers have access to the benefits and protection to which they are legally entitled.
Recognizing the importance of protecting the rights of employees, this
year's state budget contained additional funding to the JESF.
Efforts are currently under way to hire, train, and organize additional
staff who will focus their efforts in industries with a history of noncompliance.
State agencies participating on the JSEF include the Department of
Industrial relations, Department of Consumer Affairs, Franchise Tax Board, Board of
Equalization, and EDD.
Since it's inception, the JESF has:
Conducted 4, 736 payroll tax audits of suspected tax evaders.
Issued payroll tax assessments totaling $128.7 million.
Discovered $768.7 million in underground economy wages.
Discovered 69,249 employees working in the underground economy.
Cited 6, 251 employers for various Labor Code violations totaling $37.3
million.
The JSEF relies heavily on the cooperation of business
groups, organized labor, small business owners, the general public, and employees of all
businesses in identifying underground economy employers. Here is a listing of the toll
free numbers available to report fraudulent activities.
Reporting Fraudulent
Activities |
| Employers evading employment taxes |
1-800-528-1783 |
| Individuals/businesses evading state income taxes |
1-800-852-5711 |
| Businesses evading state sales taxes |
1-800-888-334-3300 |
| Fraudulent automotive repair practices |
1800-952-5210 |
| Unlicensed contractors in: |
|
| - Northern California |
1-800-321-2752 |
| - Southern California |
1-800-235-6393 |
| Individuals fraudulently receiving Unemployment or Disability Insurance
benefits |
1-800-229-6297 |
