Free guides
Plain-English explanations with the official sources linked, reviewed November 1, 2026.
For California landlords
California's rent cap for August 2026 through July 2027, explained
The AB 1482 cap for increases effective Aug 1, 2026-Jul 31, 2027 ranges from 8.1% to 8.8% by county. How it's calculated, which rent to start from, and a worked example.
Is my rental exempt from California's rent cap? A plain-English checklist
Seven questions to decide whether Civil Code 1947.12 applies to your unit, including the exact notice single-family and condo owners must give tenants to claim the exemption.
California rent increase notice rules, and what changes for landlords in 2027
How much notice California requires for a rent increase (30 or 90 days under Civil Code 827), how service by mail affects timing, and the April 2027 written pet-policy rule (SB 1296).
Tips & overtime
No tax on tips in 2026: who qualifies, how much, and what to keep
The federal tips deduction lets eligible workers deduct up to $25,000 of qualified tips for 2025-2028. Eligibility, the $150k/$300k phase-out, W-2 code TP, and a worked example.
The overtime deduction: how to figure the part you can actually deduct
The 2026 overtime deduction (up to $12,500/$25,000 joint) covers only the FLSA 'half' in time-and-a-half. How to compute it, and why California daily OT doesn't count.
Tips, overtime and your California tax return
California has not adopted the federal no-tax-on-tips or overtime deductions, so they stay taxable on Form 540. What that means for withholding, refunds, and pending bills.
Freelancer estimated taxes
Your fourth-quarter estimated tax payment is due January 15, 2027: what to pay and how
How California freelancers should figure the January 15, 2027 IRS and FTB estimated payments for tax year 2026, with the Feb 1 filing option, pay links and penalty math.
The estimated tax safe harbor: the 100% vs. 110% rule, federal and California
How the prior-year safe harbor protects freelancers from underpayment penalties, when it rises to 110%, and California's twist: no prior-year safe harbor at $1M+ AGI.
California's 30/40/0/30 estimated tax schedule, explained
California front-loads estimated tax: 30% in April, 40% in June, nothing in September and 30% in January. How to figure each installment for 2026 and plan cash flow.