The IRS has seemingly bent over backward this year in light of the significant overhaul to the tax code that applied for the first time. Now it announced that it is automatically waiving the estimated tax penalty to 400,000 eligible taxpayers who filed in 2019 (for...
We are committed to protecting your rights and defending your interests.
William T. Peckham
Millennials have specific priorities in home buying
The mortgage rates hover at historic lows with the percentage dropping a full point in the last year. This is good news for potential buyers and sellers of residential real estate. However, even in the highly competitive real estate market of Austin, millennials have...
Summer-themed tax tips
The Texas heat can be unbearable, but people of all ages look forward to the summer months. There are many fun things to do for families with young folks not in school, the cost of which can often qualify for tax credits or deductions. Parents of older kids also need...
Can credit card debt bankrupt surviving family members?
Statistics show three out of every four people will die in debt, and credit card bills don't go away just because a person dies. In some cases, those debts can be passed along to a deceased person's loved ones here in Texas. Assets from an estate are used to pay off...
Helpful information when dealing with land use disputes
When you buy a piece of property in Texas, you probably have specific intentions for how you want to use it. Whether it's a home for your family, building for your business or land for future development, you want to know if you will be able to follow through with the...
Where things stand on short term rentals in Austin
Austin and the state of Texas sometimes have different opinions on regulations, policies and laws. One recent high-profile example involves the issue of short-term rentals (STRS), which are a room or home rentals of 30 days or less. This is a hot-button topic as other...
Tips to remember when owing the IRS
There’s that old saying that death and taxes are the two things that cannot be avoided. One reason it is still used is that it is true. Nevertheless, this should not prevent taxpayers from asking questions about their tax burden and how to best address notices...
Can the government take privately owned land?
Eminent domain is the government’s way to take private land for public use under certain circumstances. The Takings Clause of the U.S. Constitution’s Fifth Amendment defines that power for the government. For state and local governments, the clause applies...
Who is most at risk for student loans?
There are a few ways where individuals can get their student loans discharged in bankruptcy, but typically people are stuck paying them. According to a recent study, 45 million Americans have student loans that amount to $1.6 trillion. It is important to remember that...
The basics of collecting debts for small business owners
If you are in the business of providing goods or services to customers or clients here in Austin in exchange for payment, you could at some point end up not receiving payment after doing so. Perhaps a customer or client simply forgot about an invoice and makes payment...