Hotels, motels, restaurants and seasonal businesses in Lake Tahoe must comply with CalSavers if they meet the 1+ employees (prior-year average) threshold — or offer a qualifying plan. Escalating: $250 per employee (90+ days after notice); $500 per employee (180+ days after notice).
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Informational only, not legal or tax advice.
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CalSavers covers California employers with 1+ employees (prior-year average) that do not offer a qualifying retirement plan. Counting rule: Average number of California employees on the four prior-year DE 9C filings, at least one of whom is 18 or older. No years-in-business requirement; newly eligible employers register by December 31 of the year they are notified.
Escalating: $250 per employee (90+ days after notice); $500 per employee (180+ days after notice). Penalties are being assessed now.
Already passed: 100+ employees (2020-09-30); 50+ employees (2021-06-30); 5+ employees (2022-06-30); 1–4 employees (2025-12-31) — unregistered employers should register or certify an exemption now. Newly eligible employers: December 31 of the year notified.
Cal. Gov. Code §§100000, 100032, 100033(b)(2); Rev. & Tax. Code §19287; 10 CCR §§10000–10012 · Official program: www.calsavers.com · Verified 2026-09-17.
Yes, if the business meets the threshold. CalSavers applies to California employers with 1+ employees (prior-year average) that do not offer a qualifying plan. Hotels, motels, B&Bs and restaurants in Lake Tahoe follow the same rules as any other employer — seasonal operation does not exempt you.
Not automatically. Coverage depends on how California counts employees: Average number of California employees on the four prior-year DE 9C filings, at least one of whom is 18 or older. No years-in-business requirement; newly eligible employers register by December 31 of the year they are notified. Seasonal employers can also satisfy the mandate with a SIMPLE IRA or 401(k), which may exclude employees who work fewer than 1,000 hours a year.
Yes. Exempt with a DB plan, 401(k), SEP, SIMPLE or auto-enrollment payroll IRA — but the exemption form must be filed by December 31. A private plan also gives you a real recruiting benefit for seasonal and year-round staff.
Yes. SECURE 2.0 Act tax credits are available to small businesses with fewer than 100 employees that start a new qualifying retirement plan (the full startup credit applies at 50 or fewer employees; it phases down from 51–100). Credits of up to $5,000/year for 3 years, plus up to $1,000 per employee in employer-contribution credits (phasing down over five years), are available regardless of whether your business is seasonal.
Already passed: 100+ employees (2020-09-30); 50+ employees (2021-06-30); 5+ employees (2022-06-30); 1–4 employees (2025-12-31) — unregistered employers should register or certify an exemption now. Newly eligible employers: December 31 of the year notified. Penalty: Escalating: $250 per employee (90+ days after notice); $500 per employee (180+ days after notice). Penalties are being assessed now. Contact Kandelaki Solutions for a free compliance audit.
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