Pat O Connor

Tax Reductions through Cost Segregation

Tax reductions and tax deductions are both benefits of cost segregation. However, it would be inaccurate to term cost segregation a tax shelter. The IRS has written a manual titled Audit Techniques Guide that delineates methods to establish depreciation s... Read >

Disabled Veteran Tax Exemptions in Texas

In Texas a disabled veteran's tax exemption is not the same as a disabled person's tax exemption. To receive a disabled veteran tax exemption, you must be either a veteran who was disabled while serving with the U.S. armed forces or the surviving spou... Read >

Feasibility Studies

Feasibility studies are a combination of a market study and financial analysis used to determine if it is financially feasible to develop a proposed property. They are also performed to evaluate the feasibility of renovating or upgrading an existing prope... Read >

Leasing Office Space – Part 10 of 23 Selecting Your Office

Visit the Office Space The next step is to visit the office space in buildings that appear to be a good fit. Reflect upon the criteria you initially establish and any issues that may have since surfaced. Take detailed notes while visiting each of the b... Read >

Over 65 Exemption Portability - You Can Take it With You When You Go

Thousands of homeowners take advantage of the Over 65 exemption allowed by the Texas Property Tax Code. After years of working and paying taxes, it's about time you get a break, right? But what about when you finally retire to that house on the lake, or s... Read >

Appealing Your Property Taxes

How To Request Binding Arbitration Thousands of Texas homeowners will go through the property tax appeal process this year because the appraisal district incorrectly assessed their home's value. Sometimes getting a satisfactory reduction takes some tim... Read >

Business personal property Valuation

Business personal property (BPP) can be challenging to value because of the limited quantity of data available and primary reliance upon the sales comparison approach. Relatively speaking, a voluminous quantity of data is available when valuing real estat... Read >

Cost Segregation - Tax Deductions (Taxes are your enemy, but tax deductions are your friends)

Taxes are your enemy, but tax deductions are your friends. Taxes are the great bane of most businesses. Alas, business deductions act as a salve to cool the burning and itching of your bank account. Business taxes can be summarized simply as calculatin... Read >

Market Rent Analysis

Market rent analyses evaluate the subject property, competing properties, and market conditions to document an equitable level of rent in an arm's length transaction. Estimates of market rent are developed regularly for market studies, appraisals, lease d... Read >

Apartment tips -- Find an Apartment in One Day

Apartment shopping is complicated. You should ideally leave yourself more than one day to find an apartment. It is possible to find an apartment in one day. However, you'll get better results if you have more time to find the property and negotiate the be... Read >

Appealing Your Property Taxes in District Court

If you disagree with the appraisal district's value or any action of the appraisal district about your property, the Texas Property Tax Code (TPTC) provides several options to appeal your property taxes. Most appraisal district offices will meet with you ... Read >

Leasing Retail Space - Using a Broker

Tenant Rep Brokers Tenant rep brokers are a great option for your retail space search. Their fee is paid by the landlord in most markets. They are retail space experts. Every day, they work on finding and negotiating agreements regarding retail space. ... Read >

Casuality Loss Hurricane

Silver Lining from Hurricane Ike Hurricane Ike inflicted a steep penalty on the Texas Gulf coast. However, there is an inconspicuous benefit - casualty loss tax deductions. Taxpayers may be able to take a 2008 deduction if either personal or business p... Read >

New Home Construction Affects Home Tax Values

Most people see new home construction in their neighborhood as a good thing. New homes typically help increase the market value of properties, so when someone in an older home goes to sell, they often can ask a higher price than areas without new construc... Read >

Appealing Property Taxes for Your Home

Property taxes are a substantial expense for Texas homeowners, averaging about $3,600 annually. To reduce this expense, property owners should annually review and consider appealing property taxes. While there is no guarantee that an appeal will be succes... Read >