1031 Exchanges Basics – A Comprehensive Guide to Tax-Deferred Property Transactions

Tax & Exemptions1031 Exchange, Capital Gains, Investment Property, Like Kind Exchange, Tax Deferred

Named after Section 1031 exchanges of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), a 1031 exchange is a tax-deferred transaction that allows an investor to sell a property and reinvest the proceeds in a new property of like-kind without paying capital gains taxes on the sale at the time of the exchange. This provision applies to real estate and certain other types of property held for productive use in a trade or business or for investment. The tax liability is essentially rolled over into the replacement property. It’s important to note that […]

Understanding your Property Tax Bill

Tax & ExemptionsAd Valorem Tax, California, Property Tax Bill, Special Assessment, Tax Rate

How to read and understand your California secured property tax bill. Learn about the general tax levy, voter-approved debt, direct assessments, supplemental tax bills, Proposition 13 limits, and escape assessments that affect your property.

Church Bingo: A Guide to Regulations, Licensing, and Tax Exemptions

Tax & Exemptions501(c)(3), Attorney General, Bingo, Charitable Gaming, Property Tax Exemption

Church bingo is legal in California, but only under strict rules. Learn the licensing requirements under Penal Code §326.5 and how bingo activity can affect your church’s property tax exemption.

California California Proposition 19: Critical Property Tax Rules

Tax & ExemptionsInheritance, Property tax, Proposition 19, Reassessment, Transfer

California Proposition 19 lets seniors carry a low tax base to a new home, but sharply limits the parent-child inheritance exclusion and caps it at a set dollar amount. Here’s what families and property owners need to know.

Incidental Use of Church Property: Weddings, Fairs, and Garage Sales

Tax & ExemptionsChurch property, Garage Sales, Incidental Use, Tax Exemption, UBIT, Weddings

Renting the sanctuary for a wedding or running a garage sale can raise a real tax question for a church. Here’s how the incidental use of church property interacts with UBIT, and the exceptions that keep most church fundraisers tax-free.

Property Tax Assessments: 5 Triggers Every Owner Should Know

Tax & ExemptionsAd Valorem Tax, Appraisal, change of ownership, Living Trust, Property Tax Appeal, Reassessment

Property tax assessments don’t just change when you buy a property — new construction, exemption loss, and even transfers to family members can trigger reassessment. Here’s what actually triggers it, and what Proposition 19 changed.

Church Property Tax Exemption

Tax & ExemptionsBoard of Equalization, Church Exemption, Church property, Escape Assessment, Organizational Clearance Certificate, Property Tax Exemption, Religious Exemption, Welfare Exemption

Understand California church property tax exemptions, including Church, Religious, and Welfare Exemptions, filing deadlines, and eligibility requirements.

Homeowner’s Exemption in California

Tax & ExemptionsCalifornia, Exemption, Homestead Exemption, Judgment Creditor, Property tax

Homestead Exemption rules in California provide homeowners with a reduction in assessed value and protection for home equity from judgment creditors. The California Constitution provides for a Homeowners’ Property Tax Exemption which is a $7,000 reduction of the taxable value of your principal residence. Upon qualification, this can amount to a cost saving of approximately $70 each year on your property taxes. In addition to this cost savings, the primary benefit is the protection it provides from a judgment creditor. For statutory homestead exemption amounts, see California Code of Civil […]

What Defines a Church?

Tax & ExemptionsChurch, Religious use, RLUIPA, zoning

What defines a church matters more than most congregations realize — the answer changes depending on whether the IRS, the courts, or your local zoning code is asking. Here’s how each one actually decides.

Property Tax Assessment Appeals

Tax & ExemptionsAd Valorem Tax, Assessment Appeal, Board of Equalization, Church Property Tax Exemption, Property tax

Think your property’s assessed value is too high? Property tax assessment appeals in California follow strict deadlines and evidence rules — miss either one and you lose the right to challenge the value entirely. Here’s how the process actually works.

Category Archives: Tax & Exemptions