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Quinn’s December Newsletter
December 1 – World AIDS
Day December 22 – Winter Solstice
December 5-12 –
Hanukkah December 25 – Christmas
December 7 – Pearl Harbor
Day
December 26 – Kwanzaa Begins
December 10 – Human Rights
Day December 31 – New Year's Eve
City approves plan for
"second downtown"
Austin Business Journal
Austin's City Council gave final approval of
phase 1 of the North Burnet/Gateway master land use plan, which will create a
so-called second downtown in the area around the Domain luxury shopping
center by 2035.
The North Burnet/Gateway plan's vision is to
ultimately create clusters of dense, mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly
neighborhoods in the 2,300-acre area north of U.S. 183 bounded by Walnut
Creek, Metric Boulevard, Braker Lane and MoPac Expressway.
The final plan will allow developers to
build denser than anywhere outside of downtown, as high as 15 stories or 180
feet, and up to 30 stories or 360 feet in areas closest to planned commuter
rail stops.
Phase 1 immediately designates a zoning
overlay district in the area to allow vertical mixed uses and other urban
design elements, and to preclude interim development not in concert with the
plan.
A draft plan of Phase 2 -- outlining
ordinances implementing the plan -- is expected in six months, says Molly Scarbrough, a city senior planner. Final approval for the
entire plan is expected in a year.
Austin Music Hall opening with a bang
Austin Business
Journal
Direct Events, owners of Austin Music Hall,
worked overtime to have the hall, located on Nueces Street, ready for the
event benefitting The Health Alliance for Austin Musicians andThe SIMS Foundation
.
"Over
many years Direct Events has presented music to and for the Austin community.
DE's goals have always been geared towards creating a better forum to present
great music from Austin and all around the world," says Tim O'Connor,
owner Direct Events. "Our team has created a space that the city of
Austin can be proud to call their own."
Construction
on the new 43,000-square-foot building began in May 2007. Several events were
canceled because of delays in construction.
The new
building is nearly twice the size of the original hall. The music and events
venue has a capacity of 4,400, a climate control system, multiple
full-service bars, and exclusive club and box seating.
End Of 2007
Tax Smarts
Dennis and
Beverly Polyniak of Old Republic Home Protection
Reducing
your tax exposure for this year is more than just deferring the Christmas Bonus
until January. Here are solid, actionable tactics you can take to reduce your
tax exposure come next April 15th. You can start today.
Number 1 Most Americans who itemize their "Mortgage
Interest Paid" realize that a large chunk of the monthly mortgage payment
is made up of interest. The IRS lets you deduct that interest in many cases
on your Itemized Deductions Form.
Think about
calling or going online to make your January payment early. Call your
mortgage company to review their policy. Most will
allow a payment to be credited on New Years
Eve. Your savings with this tip can be estimated by multiplying your
effective tax rate by your interest portion of that payment. It's easy to see
how a few days of early payment will help.
Number 2 Review your income and deductions. A fundamental
year-end tax move is to adjust the timing of income and deductions. If your
income is high, putting off receiving more income at the end of the year can
save taxes. Self employed folks may want
to send out invoices January 2nd.
Number 3 Pay deductible expenses before Dec. 31. Paying your
state income tax estimate before Dec. 31 accelerates your federal deduction.
You can also pay property taxes early. Pay your tax preparer for your
year-end planning meetings or opt to have dental work or elective surgery
before the end of the year.
Number 4 Contribute to charity. In light of the recent
disasters you may feel the urge to donate. If you are cash short, do it with
a credit card before Dec.31st and pay for it next year.
Number 5 Offset capital gains. Review your investment
portfolio to determine whether you should sell some losers before year's end
to offset capital gains you've already realized.
Number 6 Fund your retirement. Although you may have until
April 15 to make contributions to retirement accounts, you might have to have
the accounts opened by Dec. 31.
Number 7 Postpone income. If you are one of the lucky ones
in line for a bonus, ask your employer to hold off writing the check until
January. If you own a cash-basis business, you can time receipt of income by
waiting until close to the end of the year to send your December bills.
Number 8 Self-Employed Health Insurance Premiums.
Self-employed individuals are allowed to claim 100% of the amount paid during
the taxable year for insurance that constitutes medical care for themselves,
their spouses, and dependents. Make your January payment early. It too acts
as a great tax reduction tactic.
I hope you find
this information useful. Have a great holiday season.
If you have
questions about buying, selling, leasing, or financing, or just need
qualified professional real estate consultation and guidance, please call or
email.
“Your residential consultant
and advisor, when YOU'RE ready to move”
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