California Taxpayers Association
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
CalTaxs mission is to serve the general public and our members including Fortune 500 companies, small businesses and individuals by promoting sound tax policy and government efficiency at the state and local levels of government through advocacy, research and education.
- Income
- $4.9 million
- Spending
- $5.1 million
- Employees
- 10
- Volunteers
- 80
- Highest pay
- $417,314, president & ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (4)
- $4.0 million spent. CalTax monitors all tax agency regulatory proceedings, and works closely with tax administrators to ensure that tax regulations are clear, reflective of state statute, and simple to administer from both the state and taxpayer perspective. CalTax staff are members of the advisory boards for the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, Franchise Tax Board, State Board of Equalization, and Office of Tax Appeals; and regularly meet with executive staff at each of the agencies, testify during hearings, and attend interested parties meetings and regulatory working groups.
- $333,888 spent. CalTax publishes 40 newsletters each year tracking tax policy developments in California, including legislation, regulatory changes, court cases, and local tax news. The newsletter ranges from 15-40 pages and contains original content from covering live hearings and events. The newsletter also includes tax policy commentaries from the state's leading voices on tax policy.
- $151,083 spent. CalTax has two in-house registered lobbyists. CalTax reviews and analyzes every bill introduced in the California Legislature to determine if legislation has a significant tax policy, fiscal policy, or economic impact on California. CalTax writes letters advocating our position, testifies in committee, and meets with lawmakers, legislative staff and the Governor's administration to discuss our positioning. In addition to supporting and opposing legislation, we also work with legislators who have questions about how legislation may affect the state's taxpayers. We also provide tax information and analysis to the media.
- $34,671 spent. Provided various other nonadvocacy related services
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(4) social welfare organization as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 1943.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: California Teachers Association (Burlingame, CA), EIN 94-0362310. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.