Joint Enforcement Strike Force (JESF) Combatting California’s Underground Economy

What is JESF?

The JESF is a coalition of California State government enforcement agencies that work together to combat the underground economy to ensure a level playing field for California businesses.
The goals of the JESF are to:

• Eliminate unfair business competition.
• Protect workers by ensuring that they receive all benefits to which they are entitled by law relating to wages and hours, health and safety, and income replacement.
• Protect the consumer by ensuring that all businesses are properly licensed and that they adhere to the State’s consumer protection regulations.
• Reduce the burden on law-abiding citizens and businesses by ensuring that all businesses and individuals comply with the State’s licensing, regulatory, and payroll tax laws.
• Reduce the tax gap by increasing voluntary compliance with the State’s payroll tax laws to maximize the State’s General and Special Fund revenues.

More Information on the JESF

What is JESF’s Legal Authority?
Information about the creation of the JESF, its purpose, and its members.

The Underground Economy in California – What Does it Cost?
Information on the impact of the Underground Economy in California.

Help Us Fight Fraud
Information on how workers or businesses can report a business involved in the underground economy.

Press Room
Articles and news stories regarding the underground economy.

Government Entitles: Working Together to Gain the Greatest Impact
Information on each of the California governmental entities involved with the JESF.

JESF Reports
The JESF’s annual reports to the Governor and the Legislature.