u/DismalSuspect5524

Here are some of the approved parking violation fees, compared to the fees in 2024. The fee for an expired meter increases to $80, up from $50. The fee for wrongly parking in a designated residential permit area increases to $60, up from $40. The fee for parking in an area during restricted hours increases to $60, up from $40. The fee for parking outside a designated marked parking space increases to $60, up from $35. The fee for parking in a bike lane increases to $150, up from $50. The fee for parking in a passenger loading zone increases to $70, up from $40. The fee for parking in a no parking zone increases to $70, up from $40. The Capitol Garage, City Hall Garage, Memorial Garage, Old Sacramento Garage and Tower Bridge Garage parking rate.

I've emailed support, but thought I'd come here to see if anyone has any feedback.

I reported tax-exempt interest from ordinary dividends on 1040 line 2a. But since the fund holds less than 50% of its assets in CA municipal bonds, none of the interest can be excluded from CA income.

With FreeTaxUSA, this interest is populating on CA 540, Line 2a, which is correct. But it should also be populating on CA 540, Line 2b, Column C as an addition to income. Instead, the software is reporting it as additional income in Column C on Line 3b (ordinary dividends).

Since the placement doesn't change any of the math, or the final outcome, the Summary Sheet I was able to view before making payment for the state return was correct. (It reflected the correct amount for "California Additions to Income".) It was not until after I paid for the state return that I was able to access the actual 540 and CA 540 to discover this issue.

Any suggestions for how to get around it? Or should I just ignore it since the numbers all add up?

I'm hoping to hear from people who have utilized ARAG's legal services specifically to help you do strategic tax planning for the purpose of how your various assets will impact your heirs from a tax perspective.

I have used the Estate Planning benefit to create a trust/will, etc. so I'm set with that. And I have also used the Estate Planning benefit to administer my parent's estate after they died. But even though that attorney is highly-rated, they advised me incorrectly ... especially around Prop 19 timelines and the huge property tax impacts it has on an inherited property. On one hand, I think they should be well-versed in this since they are giving advise about distributing property from an estate.

On the other hand, I can appreciate that this may be more up the alley of a CPA or tax attorney. But even then, my own tax preparer acknowledged that they just don't understand all of the nuances of the law. Thankfully, I learned what I needed to just in time to take the necessary action so as to not lose the benefit.

But Prop 19 is just one example of a serious issue I've run into. I've also received advice from a financial planner about designating beneficiaries of varous assets (IRAs, annuities) that turned out to be wrong in terms of the required distribution timelines. I appreciate that the Secure Act of 2020 changed things, and again, I think this person should be well-versed in distribution timelines for myself and my heirs even though it ultimately is a tax issue.

Maybe I'm being unreasonable, but what I'm looking for is someone who is is a tax expert who also understands the tax implications of assets on heirs, and how to plan accordingly. Do any of you have any recommendations for such a unicorn?