Category: Tax
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QCDs Explained: Tax-Smart Giving From Your IRA After 70½
/ February 28th, 2026
If you’re over 70½ and still writing checks to charity from your bank account, you could be leaving thousands of dollars on the table every year. Here’s why: A qualified charitable distribution (QCD) lets you send money directly from your IRA to a charity — and that amount doesn’t count as taxable income. That means
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California Capital Gains Tax: A Comprehensive Guide
/ February 1st, 2026
California Capital Gains Tax works just like income tax—the state treats profits from selling stocks, bonds, real estate, or other assets as ordinary income. Unlike the federal government, which separates short-term and long-term capital gains, California makes no distinction. Whether you held an asset for 10 days or 10 years, your profit is taxed using
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California Retirement Taxes: What High-Income Retirees Need to Know
/ January 5th, 2026
Living in California can be the payoff after a long career, yet California retirement often looks different once paychecks stop. You may have fewer levers than you did during your working years, while your mix of accounts, investments, and housing costs can still push your numbers around in surprising ways. Your focus shifts toward keeping
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What to Do After Inheriting Assets: Step-Up in Basis, Titling, and Taxes
/ January 2nd, 2026Receiving an inheritance often brings a mix of emotions, including gratitude, grief, and the weight of new decisions. You might be sorting through memories at the same time you’re opening account statements and property records. That mix can make it tempting to act fast, yet a little patience can preserve value and reduce future surprises.
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California Inheritance Tax: What Residents Need To Know
/ September 13th, 2025Think California inheritance tax is going to take a bite out of what you inherit? Here’s the surprising truth: California doesn’t have an inheritance tax. But don’t relax just yet. Federal estate taxes, property tax reassessments under Prop 19, and even out-of-state inheritance rules can still shrink what ends up in your pocket. In other
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Donor-Advised Funds: The Best Giving Tool You’ve Never Heard Of
/ November 21st, 2018
Donor-advised funds have become increasingly popular given the new tax laws in 2018. They have also become one of our favorite tax savings tips that continues to fly under the radar: Today, we are going to break it all down for you and explain: What a Donor-Advised Fund is (in plain English!) Why you should
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