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Berkeley's Unrivaled CPA Firm: No-Holds-Barred Financial Excellence

Experience the advantage of expert CPA services in Berkeley, CA. Our strategic tax planning offers long-term financial advice, promoting growth and sustainability. Benefit from our thoughtful approach to secure a prosperous financial future tailored to your unique needs.
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Rated 5 out of 5
"Highly recommend George and his team for getting your tax returns prepared, filed, and squared away quickly. As someone who has lived and worked remotely in multiple states (thanks, covid world), and with stock options and other investments, I'm grateful for their skillful navigation through all the countless paperwork." -Client Review
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Transform your financial future with Dimov Tax. Our expert team delivers strategic tax planning for individuals and businesses alike. Secure your growth and sustainability today. Partner with us for a prosperous tomorrow.
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Berkeley Classifies First, Then Decides What Gets Taxed

The Business License Tax calculation does not begin with a rate. It begins with a classification. Berkeley places businesses into more than a dozen categories, and each category determines both the tax base and the amount owed. A Downtown Berkeley service firm pays on gross receipts. A West Berkeley contractor applies a different formula. Wrong classification produces the wrong base, which produces the wrong payment. Neither agency flags it. Our CPAs and EAs handle classification analysis, FTB entity returns, and bookkeeping services in Berkeley, all pulling from the same source numbers.

Researchers, Founders, and the Tax Bill Neither Expected

California does not conform to federal tax treaty provisions. For a visiting scholar at Berkeley Lab, income shielded on the federal return is still fully taxable at the state level. Startup founders face the same wall from a different angle. California has no preferential capital gains rate. An exit modeled at 20 percent federal becomes ordinary income on the FTB return. Both groups walk in confident. The state return is where Berkeley filers get caught. Above $1 million, the Behavioral Health Services Tax adds 1 percent on top.
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Our CPA Berkeley Team Works All Three Filing Systems Together

Berkeley’s compliance problem is three agencies that never compare notes. The FTB tracks the California return. City Finance runs its own calendar for business license classification and renewal. Treaty income falls under a third set of rules California chose to write independently. A missed city obligation accrues penalties the state return never shows. Every file at Dimov Tax goes to a licensed CPA or Enrolled Agent, never a junior associate. Confidence in the federal return is where Berkeley filings go wrong.
Dimov Tax is experienced in AccountEdge accounting software
Dimov Tax is experienced in Freshbooks accounting software
Dimov Tax is experienced in OneUp accounting software
Dimov Tax is experienced in Oracle Netsuite accounting software
Dimov Tax is experienced in Quickbooks accounting software
Dimov Tax is experienced in Sage accounting software
Dimov Tax is experienced in Xero accounting software
Dimov Tax is experienced in Zoho accounting software
Dimov Tax is experienced in Wave bookkeeping and accounting software
Dimov Tax is experienced in Trinet payroll software
Dimov Tax is experienced in Run ADP payroll software
Dimov Tax is experienced in Rippling HR and payroll software
Dimov Tax is experienced in Intuit Quickbooks payroll software
Dimov Tax is experienced in Paycor payroll software
Dimov Tax is experienced in Paychex payroll software
Dimov Tax is experienced in Patriot Software for accounting and payroll
Dimov Tax is experienced in Onpay payroll software
Dimov Tax is experienced in Justworks payroll software
Dimov Tax is experienced in Gusto payroll software
Dimov Tax is experienced in deel payroll software
Dimov Tax is experienced in BambooHR payroll software
Dimov Tax is experienced in Bambee payroll software

Berkeley Tax & Accounting Services

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Tax Preparation

Get your taxes done right, fast

Trust Berkeley’s tax professionals for peace of mind. We maximize your refunds and minimize liability for both business and personal returns. Our convenient, confidential process saves you time and money while ensuring accuracy and punctuality. Rest assured, your taxes are in expert hands. Let us simplify your financial life with our reliable, efficient service.

Forensic Accounting

Evidence-based financial investigations

Dealing with financial fraud or messy divorces? Our Berkeley forensic accountants have your back. We’ll dig deep, uncover the truth, and save you time and money. From tracing assets to calculating damages, we’re the experts you need to sort out those tricky financial puzzles.
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Bookkeeping

Clean books, clear business picture

Imagine the impact of precise bookkeeping on your business in Berkeley, CA. As QuickBooks Pro Advisors skilled in Xero, FreshBooks, Netsuite, WaveApps, and Zoho, we ensure accurate records and categorization, enhancing financial reporting, improving decision-making, and ensuring tax compliance with clarity, efficiency, and speed.
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Tax Consulting

Smart tax choices, better results

The tax landscape is complex. We know it inside out. Our Berkeley accounting experts navigate personal, business, and international taxes with precision. Worried about compliance or missing opportunities? We’ll set you straight. Get real solutions with our free consultation. Your financial clarity starts here.
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Payroll Services

Payroll compliance, handled correctly

Let’s talk payroll, Berkeley business owners. Feeling swamped? We’ll handle it all – from setting up Quickbooks or Gusto to managing taxes and benefits. Growing pains or multi-state headaches? We’ve got you covered. Our team keeps your payroll accurate and hassle-free, so you can focus on running your business. Sound good?
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Amended Tax Returns

Fix past tax return mistakes

Berkeley taxpayers: We’re here to fix your tax return issues. Received new information? Missed deductions? Need to update filing status or report extra income? Our experts handle Form 1040X efficiently. We’ll correct errors and maximize your benefits. Count on us for accurate, no-nonsense amended returns. Let’s get your taxes right.
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Financial Audits

Thorough reviews for accuracy

As Berkeley’s top-rated financial auditors, we deliver unparalleled accuracy and efficiency. Our authoritative expertise in business accounting and regulatory compliance ensures superior audits at competitive rates. We confidently excel in risk management and cost savings, providing transparent communication throughout. Trust California’s most reliable third-party auditor for your financial assurance needs.
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Tax Audit Representation

Expert defense in IRS audits

Why choose our tax audit representation in Berkeley, CA? With a 98% success rate on first IRS/state responses, we excel in all audit types. We guide you through IRS audit letters, CP75, Form 4549, and more. Discover our expert, compliant support for navigating audit complexities and ensuring peace of mind.
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Real Estate Taxes

Property tax planning made simple

Discover our trusted real estate tax services in Berkeley, CA. As your 1031 exchange intermediary, we provide comprehensive support and reliable tax strategies for primary homes and rental properties, whether local, out-of-state, or international. Rely on our full-service expertise for all your real estate tax needs.
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Resources From Our Expert Accountants

Strategically navigate tax complexities with our specialized resource center. Master local, international, FBAR vs FATCA differences, and expat tax intricacies through our targeted insights. Our expert-crafted content equips you with advanced knowledge for optimal financial decisions. Leverage our expertise to gain a competitive edge. Explore now.

Get Your Tax & Accounting Questions Answered

Ready to learn about accounting service costs? Browse our FAQ section for details on tax preparation, bookkeeping, crypto reporting, and accounting fees – all explained.

Average accountant hourly rates by years of experience (2025)

Hourly Rate ($)
$400 $300 $200 $100 $0
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How does Berkeley classify my consulting practice for Business License Tax purposes?

Berkeley places consulting under a professional services classification and calculates the tax on gross receipts at a per-$1,000 rate. The city uses more than a dozen distinct categories, and the category controls not just the rate but what gets measured. Wrong classification produces a lower payment than the city expects, and neither agency sends an automatic correction. A CPA Berkeley businesses rely on runs this analysis at the start of every engagement before a discrepancy appears.

Does the FTB tax fellowship income that is federally treaty-exempt at Berkeley Lab?

Yes. California treaty nonconformity means income that eliminates federal liability remains fully taxable on the state return. Withholding can still apply even when the federal return shows zero. That situation appears in nearly every international researcher return we prepare. We file the California return separately, regardless of what treaty status applies federally.

How does California tax ISO gains compared to the federal return?

California taxes capital gains at ordinary income rates, so a gain taxed federally at 15 or 20 percent costs more on the state return. ISO spread at exercise also triggers California AMT on the same basis as federal. Tax preparation in Berkeley that runs the state calculation from the federal copy misses both adjustments. We model the California liability before exercise, not after the transaction settles.

What does Berkeley's Real Property Transfer Tax add to closing costs on a sale above $1.7 million?

Properties above $1.7 million owe Berkeley’s transfer tax at 2.5 percent, applied to the full sale price. That charge runs separately from Alameda County’s transfer tax, under a different agency, on a different settlement line. Measure W, passed by Berkeley voters, extends the higher transfer tax rate to additional property tiers starting January 1st of 2027. An accountant in Berkeley working the numbers before closing separates each layer and builds both into the net proceeds projection.

My RSU vesting will push my income above $1 million, so does the Behavioral Health Services Tax apply to the full amount?

Only the income above $1 million carries the 1 percent surcharge. The FTB collects it on the same return as regular income tax, with no separate filing required. The real issue is timing: the liability is set at vest, not at the filing date, which means most filers encounter it later than they should. A Berkeley CPA building the projection before shares settle catches the liability before it becomes a surprise.

Your Personal and Business Accounting Team

George Dimov - Founding President of George Dimov CPA and Tax Specialists, an online CPA firm with the highest standards

George Dimov

President

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Stan Shraybman, MBA, EA

Senior Tax Manager

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Anvar Akhtamov, EA

Senior Tax Accountant

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Xintian Wang, CPA

Senior Tax Manager

MEET THE TEAM
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