The November ballot measure Proposition 43 will make it harder to raise taxes in California by restoring the two-thirds vote requirement for local special taxes. A “special tax” is one that earmarks the revenue for specific purposes. Ever since voters approved Proposition 13 in 1978, the California Constitution has clearly stated that cities, counties and…
Two-thirds of California voters consistently tell pollsters that they think Proposition 13 is a good thing, but even with more than 48 years of constant support, Proposition 13 remains unpopular among politicians and bureaucrats who want higher property taxes. But the limits that Prop. 13 imposes on property taxes can hardly be considered draconian. California…
The largest transfer of wealth in American history is already underway. According to Cerulli Associates, a leading global research and wealth management consulting firm, approximately $124 trillion is expected to change hands through 2048, with nearly $105 trillion transferring to heirs. A substantial portion of this wealth consists of highly appreciated real estate, including apartment…
For many families, one of the biggest financial hurdles today is helping their adult children purchase a home in an increasingly expensive housing market. In San Diego, for example, homeownership has become extremely difficult for the younger generation due to high housing prices caused by limited supply and high demand. As one might imagine, the…
A Deferred Sales Trust (DST) is an estate planning tool that allows you to defer capital gains taxes when selling highly appreciated assets—such as real estate, businesses, or stocks. By transferring the asset to an irrevocable trust in exchange for a promissory note, you shift the tax liability and spread tax payments out over installment…
The Local Taxpayer Protection Act to Save Prop. 13 will be on the November ballot. The measure, if approved by voters, will restore the letter and spirit of Proposition 13 in two important ways. First, it reverses the court-created loophole in the two-thirds vote requirement that has allowed special interest groups to easily impose their…
In a major victory for California taxpayers, the Local Taxpayer Protection Act to Save Proposition 13 has qualified for the November 2026 ballot. In April, the California Secretary of State reported that proponents, led by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, had turned in more than enough valid signatures to county registrars, ensuring that voters will…
Most apartment owners and real estate investors don’t wake up thinking, “Today, I might get sued.” They wake up thinking about rent collections, a contractor who didn’t show, an insurance renewal, or whether to refinance. And yet, lawsuits find rental property owners all the time. Not because they are reckless. Often it’s the opposite. Apartment…
The below article was written by Jon Coupal of Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. In a major victory for California taxpayers, the Local Taxpayer Protection Act to Save Proposition 13 has qualified for the November 2026 ballot. In April, the California Secretary of State reported that proponents, led by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, had turned…
In a major victory for California taxpayers, the Local Taxpayer Protection Act to Save Proposition 13 has qualified for the November 2026 ballot. Last Tuesday, the California Secretary of State reported that proponents, led by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, had turned in more than enough valid signatures to county registrars, ensuring that voters will…