Real Estate Investor
Tax strategies for real estate investing
Real Estate Investor Tax Action Plan: Maximize Deductions and Defer Gains
A step-by-step tax action plan for real estate investors. Covers entity structure, cost segregation, passive activity loss rules, 1031 exchanges, depreciation recapture, and opportunity zone investments.
In-Depth Guides (7)
Guides (5)
Guide
1031 Exchange Rules: What Real Estate Investors Get Wrong
A 1031 exchange defers capital gains tax when you swap investment property, but strict deadlines and rules trip up most investors. Learn what to get right.
Guide
How Much Does a CPA Cost? A Realistic Breakdown by Situation
CPA fees range from $200 for simple W-2 returns to $3,500+ for S-Corp businesses. Realistic cost breakdowns by situation with data from the NATP 2025 Fee Study.
Guide
Multi-State Tax Nightmares: When You Live in One State and Work (or Invest) in Another
What triggers filing requirements in another state, how reciprocity agreements and credits prevent (most) double taxation, and why remote work, rental property, and K-1 income make multi-state returns unavoidable for many taxpayers.
Guide
Passive Activity Loss Rules: What Real Estate Investors and Business Owners Need to Know
IRC Section 469 limits passive losses to offsetting passive income. Learn the seven material participation tests, the $25K rental allowance, real estate professional status, grouping elections, and suspended loss rules.
Guide
Real Estate Investor's Guide to Cost Segregation: Turn 39 Years of Depreciation Into 5
Cost segregation reclassifies building components into 5, 7, or 15-year property, accelerating depreciation and unlocking six-figure tax deferrals for real estate investors.
Quick Guides (32)
1-2 Properties
Choose this if you own one or two rental properties. A small portfolio is simpler to track, but you face the same complex rules as investors with dozens of...
1031 Exchange Planning
Choose this if you're considering deferring capital gains by exchanging one investment property for another under IRC 1031.
11-20 Properties
Choose this if you own eleven to twenty rental properties. A portfolio this size almost certainly involves multiple entities, substantial passive activity...
3-5 Properties
Choose this if you own three to five rental properties. At this size, portfolio-level tax strategies begin to outweigh per-property tactics.
6-10 Properties
Choose this if you own six to ten rental properties. At this scale, professional tax management isn't optional -- the interactions between depreciation...
Actively Pursuing a 1031 Exchange
Choose this if you have a specific property you plan to sell (or have already sold) and intend to defer the capital gains by acquiring replacement property...
Commercial Properties
Choose this if you own office buildings, retail spaces, warehouses, or other nonresidential properties. Commercial real estate has a longer depreciation...
Considering a 1031 Exchange
Choose this if you are thinking about selling a property and want to understand whether deferring the gain through a 1031 exchange is actually worth it...
Cost Segregation Studies
Choose this if you want to understand how cost segregation can accelerate depreciation deductions on your investment properties.
Entity Structuring for Real Estate
Choose this if you're deciding how to hold title to your investment properties and want to understand the tax and liability implications.
Full-Time Real Estate Professional
Choose this if real estate is your primary occupation -- you spend the majority of your working hours on real estate activities such as development,...
Growing Your Real Estate Portfolio
Choose this if you're actively acquiring new rental or investment properties and want to minimize taxes as you scale.
Your Professional Team
CPA
Always
Cost segregation, 1031 exchanges, passive activity rules, and REPS qualification
Real Estate Attorney
Sometimes
Entity structuring, lease agreements, and 1031 exchange compliance
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Property Manager
Sometimes
Expense tracking, income reporting, and REPS hour documentation support
Learn more →