Blog
91 plain-language guides to California taxes, pay, benefits, housing and business rules. Each one is tied to a calculator you can use on the spot.
California Community Property Rules
What is community vs separate property, the 50/50 split, 2640 reimbursements, debts, the house and retirement accounts.
Read the guide →
California Cottage Food Law Explained
Class A vs Class B, the CPI-adjusted sales caps, approved foods, labels, training and county fees.
Family & LegalCalifornia Lemon Law Guide
The 18-month presumption tests, what a buyback pays after the mileage offset, and the 2025 opt-in notice rules.
Property & HousingCalifornia Renters' Rights: A Plain-English Guide
Rent increase caps, just-cause eviction, the one-month deposit limit, repairs, landlord entry and the renter's credit.
Family & LegalCalifornia Small Claims Court: A Step-by-Step Guide
The $12,500 limit ($6,250 for businesses), $30-$75 filing fees, serving papers, the hearing, appeals and collecting.
VehiclesSmog Check Exemptions in California
The 8-model-year rule, the $20/$25 smog abatement fee, when a sale needs a certificate, and Enhanced vs Basic areas.
BenefitsCARE vs FERA: Which Utility Discount Do You Get?
Income limits through May 2027, 30-35% vs 18% off, the cheaper Base Services Charge, and FERA now open to 1-2 person households.
BusinessCCPA: Which Businesses Must Comply?
The three thresholds ($26.6 million revenue, 100,000 consumers, 50% data revenue), what counts as selling or sharing, exemptions, 2026 deadlines and fines.
VehiclesClean Cars 4 All Explained
The $9,500-$12,000 scrap-and-replace grant, the 300% poverty-level income limit, and which of the six programs are open.
BenefitsHow CalWORKs Benefits Are Calculated
The Maximum Aid Payment table by region and status, the $600 + 50% earnings rule with examples, and the 60-month limit.
BusinessProp 65 Warnings Explained
What a warning means, the 10-employee threshold, safe harbor levels, the 2028 short-form deadline and $2,500-a-day penalties.
Solar & EnergySGIP Battery Rebate Explained
What each SGIP budget pays per kWh, which are closed, who still qualifies for the $1,100/kWh equity rebate, and how the waitlist works.
TaxCalEITC Explained: Who Qualifies and How Much
The income limits, the maximum credit by number of children, and how the Young Child and Foster Youth credits stack on top.
Property & HousingCalifornia ADU Rules Explained
The state floor every city must allow: an 800 sq ft detached ADU with 4-foot setbacks, 16 to 25 ft heights, junior ADUs, no owner-occupancy rule, 60-day approval.
TaxCalifornia Car Sales Tax Explained
Tax on the full price at the rate where you register the car, no trade-in credit, and the gift, family and out-of-state rules.
Property & HousingCalifornia Homestead Exemption: How Much Is Protected
How much home equity a judgment creditor cannot touch, and how the inflation-adjusted minimum and cap work.
TaxCalifornia HSA Tax Rules: Why the State Taxes Your HSA
California doesn't recognize HSAs. Contributions and earnings are taxed by the state; withdrawals are not. What to add back.
BusinessCalifornia Junk Fee Law (SB 478): What Businesses Must Do
Advertised prices must include every mandatory fee. What can stay out, the restaurant rule, and the penalties.
Property & HousingJust Cause Eviction Rules in California
AB 1482's 12-month trigger, at-fault and no-fault reasons, the one-month relocation payment, owner move-in rules and the exempt properties.
BusinessCalifornia LLC Fee vs. the $800 Franchise Tax
Two separate charges on California LLCs: the flat annual tax and the gross-receipts fee, with brackets and due dates.
BusinessCalifornia LLC vs. S Corp Taxes: Which Costs Less?
What California charges each entity, side-by-side examples, and the break-even points.
EmploymentOvertime for Salaried Employees in California
The salary threshold, the duties tests, and the 1/40th rule that sets the overtime rate for a salaried non-exempt employee.
EmploymentCalifornia Paid Sick Leave Rules
40 hours or 5 days a year under state law, the accrual and carryover caps, who counts as family, and the city ordinances that go further.
Property & HousingCalifornia Probate Fees Explained
The statutory percentages for the executor and the attorney, worked examples, extraordinary fees, and the small estate limit.
EmploymentCalifornia Reporting Time Pay Rules
Sent home early? You're owed half your scheduled shift, 2 to 4 hours, at your regular rate. Examples, exceptions and call-in shifts.
TaxCalifornia Sales Tax on Services
Most services aren't taxed. Where the line falls for repairs, fabrication, photography, shipping, software, warranties and restaurant service charges.
Property & HousingCalifornia Security Deposit Law: Limits and Refunds
How much a landlord can charge, what they can deduct, the 21-day refund deadline and the bad-faith penalty.
TaxCalifornia Self-Employment Tax Guide
There's no separate state self-employment tax, but California income tax, no QBI deduction and a front-loaded estimate schedule change the math.
BusinessCalifornia Seller's Permit: Who Needs One and How to Get It
The free CDTFA permit for selling taxable goods: occasional sales, marketplace sellers, temporary permits and out-of-state sellers.
EmploymentCalifornia Split Shift Pay: The Premium Explained
One hour at minimum wage for each split-shift day, offset by pay above the minimum. Who qualifies and how to calculate it.
Property & HousingCalifornia Supplemental Property Tax Bill, Explained
The extra bill after you buy a home: how it is prorated by month, when it is due, and why your lender usually will not pay it.
TaxCalifornia Tax Deadlines Calendar
Income tax, estimated payments, LLC and corporation returns, payroll reports and property tax due dates, in date order.
Property & HousingCalifornia Tenant Relocation Assistance: What You Get
No-fault eviction? AB 1482 requires one month of rent, and many cities require far more. How it works.
Property & HousingCalifornia Transfer Tax by City
$1.10 per $1,000 everywhere, plus city taxes in Los Angeles (Measure ULA), San Francisco, Oakland and Berkeley, with costs at three sale prices.
BenefitsCalifornia Unemployment While Working Part Time
How EDD reduces your weekly benefit when you earn money, with examples, reporting rules and partial claims.
TaxCalifornia Use Tax Explained: Online and Out-of-State Buys
No California sales tax charged? You owe use tax at your local rate. Credits for other states' tax and how to report it.
TaxCalifornia vs. Federal Tax: Key Differences
Social Security, unemployment, capital gains, HSAs, the SALT cap, mortgage interest and the new federal tips and overtime deductions.
EmploymentCalifornia Wage Garnishment Limits
The lesser of 20% of disposable pay or 40% above a minimum-wage floor, the higher limit for child support, and the hardship exemption.
TaxCalifornia Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC): Who Gets It
A refundable state credit for families with a young child, even with no earnings. Who qualifies, how the phaseout works and how to claim it.
EmploymentHow the CalSTRS Pension Formula Works
The age factor tables, service credit, final compensation, the career factor and the compensation cap, with worked examples.
EmploymentCFRA vs. FMLA: Family Leave in California
Who each law covers, which relatives count, how pregnancy is handled and how the two leaves overlap.
TaxCost of Living: California vs. Texas
California prices run about 14% above Texas, driven by housing. How income tax, sales tax and property tax change the picture.
TaxDoes California Have an Estate or Inheritance Tax?
No estate, inheritance or gift tax since 2005. The federal estate tax, inherited retirement accounts and the Prop 19 property tax catch.
TaxDoes California Tax Lottery Winnings? What's Taxed
California Lottery prizes, including Powerball and Mega Millions, are state-tax-free. Casino, racing and other states' wins are not.
EmploymentHow Workers' Comp Pays in California
Temporary and permanent disability, medical care, the job voucher and death benefits: what each pays and how it's figured.
Property & HousingMello-Roos Explained: What California Buyers Pay
A special tax on homes in a Community Facilities District. How it is set, how much it can rise each year, and when it ends.
Property & HousingProp 19 Base Year Value Transfer Explained
Who qualifies, the 2-year window, the 100%/105%/110% value test, how a pricier home is taxed, and the three-transfer limit.
EmploymentProp 22 Explained for Gig Workers
120% of minimum wage for engaged time plus a per-mile payment, how the floor is checked, the health care subsidy and what it leaves out.
BenefitsSDI vs. Paid Family Leave: What's the Difference?
Disability Insurance is for your own illness or pregnancy; PFL is for bonding or caring for family. Same pay rate, different lengths and waiting periods.
EmploymentAB5 and the ABC Test Explained
What each part of the ABC test means, the Borello exemptions, Prop 22 and what misclassification costs a business.
TaxCalifornia Capital Gains Tax Explained
Why California taxes gains as ordinary income, the tax on gains of different sizes, the home sale exclusion and where the state departs from federal rules.
EmploymentCalifornia Exempt Employee Salary Threshold
This year's and next year's minimum exempt salary, the duties tests and the special rates for software and medical professionals.
EmploymentCalifornia Meal and Rest Break Rules
When meal and rest breaks are due, when they can be waived, and the extra hour of pay owed when an employer misses one.
BenefitsHow CalFresh Benefits Are Calculated
The income tests, every deduction from gross to net income, the 30% rule and a worked example with this year's federal figures.
BenefitsHow Covered California Subsidies Work
The benchmark plan, the share of income you pay, the returned 400% cliff, California's own subsidy and repaying the credit.
VehiclesHow Much Is Car Registration in California?
Every fee on the renewal notice, how the vehicle license fee depreciates, examples by car value and the late penalties.
BenefitsHow Paid Family Leave Works in California
Up to 8 weeks of partial pay to bond with a child or care for family: who qualifies, the 70%/90% formula, filing and job protection.
Property & HousingHow Prop 13 Works: California Property Tax Limits
The 1% rate, the 2% annual cap, this year's inflation factor, what triggers reassessment and the transfers that don't.
BenefitsHow SDI Benefits Are Calculated in California
Your base period, the highest-quarter weekly wage, the two-tier rate, the waiting period and a table of benefits by earnings.
TaxIs Social Security Taxed in California?
No, but pensions and IRA withdrawals are. What retirees owe, senior credits, military retirement pay and a worked example.
TaxMoving Out of California: What Happens to Your Taxes
How residency is decided, how the part-year return taxes you, and what California keeps taxing after you leave.
Property & HousingCalifornia Cities With Rent Control (and Their Caps)
Every city in our checker with its own rent cap, the current allowable increase and covered buildings, plus Costa-Hawkins, AB 1482 and relocation rules.
TaxCalifornia Estimated Tax Due Dates and the 30/40/0/30 Rule
The four due dates with weekend and holiday shifts, why September is zero, the safe harbor rules, penalties, and the federal schedule side by side.
EmploymentCalifornia Fast Food Minimum Wage: Who Gets It
The current rate, which restaurants are covered, the AB 610 exemptions, how higher city minimums apply, and whether the Fast Food Council will raise it.
EmploymentCalifornia Final Paycheck Law: When It's Due
Final pay deadlines after a firing, layoff or quit, why earned vacation must be paid out, why sick leave usually isn't, and the waiting time penalty.
TaxHow Bonuses Are Taxed in California
Why bonuses are withheld at flat state and federal rates, how Social Security, Medicare and SDI apply, a worked example, and how extra withholding comes back.
Property & HousingHow Much House Can I Afford in California?
The 28/36 guideline, the California costs most calculators skip, and the income needed for common home prices with every assumption shown.
VehiclesWhy California Traffic Tickets Cost So Much
Every penalty, surcharge and court fee added to the base fine, with the law behind each one, worked examples, traffic school and ability-to-pay options.
TaxCalifornia Renter's Credit Explained: Who Qualifies
Who qualifies for the nonrefundable renter's credit, the income limits by filing status, the part-year proration chart, and why it can't create a refund.
BenefitsMedi-Cal Income Limits by Household Size (2026)
The full DHCS income chart by household size, what counts as MAGI income, the reinstated asset test, and the 2026 enrollment freeze for undocumented adults.
TaxCalifornia Income Tax Rates and Brackets
Nine brackets from 1% to 12.3%, plus 1% over $1 million. The full tables, marginal vs. effective rates, and what California taxes differently.
TaxCalifornia State Tax Withholding Explained (DE 4 and Your W-2)
Why California has its own withholding form, how allowances work, the 10.23% bonus rate, and how to avoid owing in April.
BenefitsHow California Unemployment Benefits Are Calculated (EDD)
Your weekly benefit comes from your best-paid quarter. Base periods, the $450 cap, how long it lasts, and what part-time work does to it.
Family & LegalHow Child Support Is Calculated in California
Every California court uses the same formula. Here is how net income, custody time and the K factor turn into a monthly number.
BenefitsHow Much Is Health Insurance in California for One Person? (2026)
Your premium depends on age, region, metal tier and above all income. The 2026 subsidy rules, the 400% cliff, state help and Medi-Cal.
EmploymentHow Overtime Is Calculated in California: Daily, Weekly and the 7th Day
California pays overtime by the day, not just the week. Daily, weekly, double time and 7th-day rules, with a worked example.
Property & HousingHow California Property Tax Is Calculated (1% + Local Levies)
The 1% Prop 13 levy, why real rates run 1.0%-1.25%, the 2% annual cap, and the supplemental bill that surprises new buyers.
Family & LegalHow Alimony Is Calculated in California: Temporary vs. Long-Term
Temporary support has a formula; long-term support does not. Here is how California courts handle each, and how long alimony lasts.
TaxHow to Calculate Sales Tax in California (Rates by City)
A 7.25% statewide base plus local district taxes. The formula, real city rates, what is exempt, and when you owe use tax instead.
EmploymentWhat Is a Living Wage in California? Minimum Wage vs. Real Costs
California's minimum wage is among the highest in the U.S., but rent sets the real bar. How to work out the wage your area requires.
BusinessCalSavers: With Even One Employee, Your Registration Deadline Has Probably Passed
Every employer-size tier is now past its CalSavers registration deadline. See the schedule, who is exempt and the penalties.
EmploymentPAGA Reform 2024: What AB 2288 and SB 92 Changed for California Employers
The reform set no flat penalty cap. It caps penalties at 15% or 30% for employers that took reasonable steps, and gives small employers a way to cure violations.
Property & HousingProp 19's $1M Inherited-Property Exclusion Cap Resets in February 2027
The parent-child exclusion cap is adjusted every two years. See the current $1,044,586 figure, a worked example and what changes at the next reset.
Property & HousingAB 1482 Rent Cap 2026-27: State Formula vs. Your City's Stricter Rule
The statewide cap runs 8.1%-8.8% by region, but LA, Oakland, Berkeley and other rent-controlled cities cap increases far lower.
BusinessCalifornia Has No Statewide Business License: What Cities Require
The state does not issue a general business license. Cities do, and each sets its own fees. See how city licenses work and how to find yours.
BusinessCalifornia LLC First-Year Tax: $800, or $400 Starting 2027
An LLC whose first taxable year begins in 2027, 2028 or 2029 pays $400, not $800. See who qualifies and why the AB 85 waiver no longer applies.
EmploymentCalifornia Minimum Wage 2026: State Floor vs. City vs. Fast Food vs. Healthcare
California sets its minimum wage at four levels, and more than one can apply to the same worker depending on the city and the industry.
VehiclesIs CVRP Still Giving Out EV Rebates? No. These Programs Replaced It
CVRP closed permanently in November 2023. See what MyFirstEV and Clean Cars 4 All pay and who qualifies for each.
Solar & EnergyThe 30% Federal Solar Tax Credit Is Gone for Homeowners: What OBBBA Changed
The federal residential solar tax credit ended for systems placed in service after 2025. See what changed and which credit still exists for leased systems.
Solar & EnergyNEM 3.0 Explained: Why Your Solar Export Credit Dropped So Much
NEM 3.0 replaced near-retail export credits with an hourly Avoided Cost Calculator rate. See how the rate is set and why batteries now pay off.
BusinessCalifornia's New Employment Credit Has Ended: What Still Pays You to Hire
The New Employment Credit applies only to hires made before 2026. Two other programs still pay employers who hire and train now.