I currently am the only employee for my company in Illinois. I would like to relocate to California. My company said they do not want to go through the process of establishing a business license in California just for me. Is there a way for me to work as an employee from our NYC office where we have 5 employees and work from my home in California? I would prefer this so I can keep my benefits. Any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

California has different rules than most other states. If you are working from California even though it is in your home than the company would be deemed to have a nexxus there and they would legally need to set up business accounts in that state. They would have to set up the following accounts:

Business entity
State unemployment accounts
Worker's Compensation accounts
SDI accounts
Sales and Use tax accounts (Franchise tax accounts)

Doesn't matter the nature of the business if the state of California thinks you have a presence there you must set up all the accounts. It is a headache, I know I have had to set up a warehouse in California before for two people. Not easy and California is not an easy state to do business in.

I have to say I agree with your company.

Shirley