Free informational food seminar in Palm Desert today

The California State Board of Equalization will hold an informational seminar in Palm Desert today for those working in or aspiring to work in the food industry.

Restaurant and bar owners, mobile food vendors and others can attend the free seminar, which starts at 9 a.m. at the Coachella Valley Water District’s Steve Robbins Administration Building, according to organizers.

Representatives from the BOE, the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, and Employment Development Department will give presentations on sales and use tax, identifying taxable items, tip and wage reporting, happy hour rules about pricing below cost, unemployment insurance information, what licenses businesses must post, what owners need to give new employees, and food trucks and mobile food vendors.

Representatives from the Internal Revenue Service and state Franchise Tax Board will also attend, according to the BOE.

To register, call (888) 847-9652 or go to www.boe.ca.gov.