California Tax Attorney Blog: Taxation & Estate Planning

Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Taxation & Estate Planning Blogs

OR PHONE (866) 635-1838 for Bankruptcy Help, (866) 635-6190 for Divorce,
(866) 635-2689 for Personal Injury or (866) 635-9402 for Criminal Defense

Find a Local Lawyer

Bankruptcy (866) 635-1838
Divorce (866) 635-6190
Personal Injury (866) 635-2689
Criminal Defense (866) 635-9402

Taxation & Estate Planning

California Tax Attorney Blog

Covers tax controversies and tax problems involving the IRS and California Franchise Tax Board, as well as California probate, business transactions and estate planning matters.
By Mitchell Port

Post Frequency: 3.3/day

Last Entry: April 01, 2011 at 08:53:58

Tax Relief For Mortgage Debt Forgiven

Posted on August 28, 2008
There is now tax relief for homeowners. In a news brief issued by the IRS for the benefit of those with troubled loans, the government now says that if your mortgage debt is partly or entirely forgiven during 2007, 2008...

Where Should I Keep My California Estate Plan?

Posted on August 25, 2008
My Los Angeles estate planning attorney wrote my living trust, a California will, a durable power of attorney for property management and my living will/advance health care directive. I have the originals; where should I keep them?

California Divorce And Estate Planning

Posted on August 21, 2008
What does California law provide about preparing a new Will or living trust at the beginning of or in the middle of a divorce?

California Inheritance Rules For Out Of Wedlock Births

Posted on August 19, 2008
What does California say about inheriting through a child born out-of-wedlock when the person who died did not have a Will?

To access this complete feed in the blog feed reader login or register for free.

Innocent Spouse: What Are The Tests?

Posted on August 15, 2008
Qualifying for innocent spouse relief is spelled out by the IRS.

Charitable Gift Annuity

Posted on August 13, 2008
Charitable gift annuities often can provide the solution to a tax problem or help achieve a charitable or retirement goal that clients may have for themselves or their families. A few of the applications for charitable gift annuities include assistance for parents, providing for children, supplemental retirement savings and relief from low-interest CDs.

Free Tax And Estate Planning Information

Posted on August 11, 2008
In an effort toward raising awareness, educating the public and boosting charitable contributions, some not-for-profit organizations provide excellent tax planning information. Read some of what is available on the internet in one convenient tax site like this blog.

California Law On Your Rights To Get A Copy Of A Living Trust

Posted on August 07, 2008
How can I get hold of a copy of the living trust in which I believe I am named as a beneficiary? Calfornia law provides a way.

Wills And Trusts: No Contest Clauses

Posted on August 05, 2008
Last week, California's governor approved a bill providing that on and after January 1, 2010, any instrument, whenever executed, that became irrevocable on or after January 1, 2001 the law regarding no contest clauses will change. Existing law, in relation...

Scammers Use Fax and Email To Pose As IRS

Posted on August 02, 2008
Those who have received a questionable e-mail claiming to come from the IRS may forward it to the IRS. Those who have received a questionable telephone call that claims to come from the IRS may also use the IRS's mailbox to notify the government. ?Phishing,? ?identity theft? or ?e-mail scams? are events worth reporting to the government.

Tax Questions And Answers

Posted on July 30, 2008
IRS procedures regarding a wide range of tax topics are described in detail here. California's taxpayers may find this list of topics very helpful. Take a look....

Withholding Compliance

Posted on July 28, 2008
Questions about obligations you may have as a California employer with regard to your employee's employment taxes are answered in this posting.

New Law Makes Bequests For Animal Care Enforceable In California

Posted on July 24, 2008
California's governor Schwarzenegger signed a new bill into law which provides for enforcement of "pet trusts" set up by animal owners to pay for continuing care of their pets after the owner's demise. A recent news article in the Los Angeles Times covers the topic well...

IRS Enforcement Getting Better

Posted on July 21, 2008
Depending on your income, you may be selected for an IRS audit. More tax liens and levies (both against wages and bank accounts) are on the rise.

Choosing The Right Guardian For My Children

Posted on July 17, 2008
For families living in California, choosing a guardian for their minor children is a primary reason why a California Will is such an important document to create and keep updated. Here are some ideas about how to choose the best guardian for your kids.

Eliminate Interest On Tax

Posted on July 15, 2008
Do you think your interest on unpaid tax should be eliminated? In almost every case, the IRS never abates interest on unpaid taxes since the thinking is that not paying tax is like getting a loan which the IRS is not about to make interest-free. Now, there is a basis for eliminating interest on tax.

Requests For Extension Of Time To File Partnership Tax Return

Posted on July 11, 2008
In an announcement made on July 1, 2008, the Internal Revenue Service determined that the deadline for extension requests filed by partnerships, including those formed in California, will be shortened by one month. For partnerships whose year ends on or...

California's Husband and Wife Business: A Partnership Or Joint Venture (And Other Tax Issues)?

Posted on July 08, 2008
An unincorporated business jointly owned by a married couple is generally classified as a partnership for Federal tax purposes. For tax years beginning after December 31, 2006, the Small Business and Work Opportunity Tax Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-28)...

California's Durable Power Of Attorney

Posted on July 03, 2008
California's Durable Power Of Attorney for property management and personal affairs is used when you become incapacitated for any reason (e.g., Alzheimer?s, stroke, heart attack, auto accident causing a coma, etc.). It should be part of your basic California estate...

IRS Increases Mileage Rates

Posted on July 01, 2008
Due to rising gas prices, the mileage rate will increase by eight cents to 58.5 cents a mile for all business miles driven from July 1 through Dec. 31, 2008. The new rate for computing deductible medical or moving expenses...

Family-Owned Business: A California Success Story

Posted on June 27, 2008
Wealth transfers where a family owned business is involved requires immense advance planning to be done properly. Here is information readily available.

Gifts: Who Pays The Tax?

Posted on June 25, 2008
Californians making gifts often believe the federal gift tax is paid by the recipient/beneficiary. Unfortunately, it is the one making the gift who pays the tax. Tax free gifts are possible, however.

Sopisticated Estate Planning

Posted on June 23, 2008
Living trusts, wills, durable powers of attorney for property management and the advance health care directive are just the start. Sophisticated planning tools are available for the right client who wants to further reduce the amount of estate tax due upon death.

Estate Planning For Pets

Posted on June 20, 2008
Pets are treasured members of the family. Pet owners have close relationships with their pets. In the U.S., gifts to pets in trust have often failed in the past. There's a good reason for that. Here is an interesting piece recently written by an attorney who understands the law involved with such matters.

Avoid Probate In California

Posted on June 18, 2008
California probate law says that if the person who died left property worth $100,000 or less, then the proper person may claim the property without using the probate court in Los Angeles County, Ventura County, Santa Barbara County, Orange County...

California Probate Costs And Fees

Posted on June 16, 2008
SPOTLIGHT #4: Probate fees and costs in California can add up. Here is a short list of what probate expenses consist of.

California Lawyers Are Not All Alike

Posted on June 13, 2008
Many people believe that Los Angeles law firms are pretty much the same. I don't. I believe that what separates me from the pack is not what I do, but how I do it.

Identity Theft, Phishing And Your Tax Information

Posted on June 11, 2008
California taxpayers beware of identity theft and phishing schemes used under the guise of the IRS. Here's how it can happen to you....

When You Become 18: A Survival Guide For California Teenagers

Posted on June 09, 2008
At age 18, many of our kids are still in high school and a lot of them still live at home with us. On this very meaningful birthday, many do not realize how their rights and responsibilities have just changed ? considerably ? in the eyes of the law. A special California State Bar guide can help pave the way to young adulthood.

Discharged Indebtedness Is Income And Is Taxable

Posted on June 06, 2008
You cannot trust your ex-spouse to pay your taxes.

Previous | Next

Related Law Bulletins

California's Proposed Student Civil Rights Act Gives Broad Definition to "Religion"
On Tuesday, the California Senate Judiciary Committee approved by ...

California mother held in custody breach case
I am posting this to draw attention to what should be simply routi...

California Governor Schwarzenegger Vetoes Gay Marriage Bill
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a gay marriage bill Friday, ...

Northern California Farmers Worry Fruit Will Rot On Trees
Yet another story about the plight of fruit and vegetable farmers ...

California divorce is often a time-consuming process
California divorce is often a time-consuming process By Ron Sokol,...