Seeking Tax Pro Who Understands BRRRR

Seeking Tax Pro Who Understands BRRRR

Member since 2020 · 64 posts · 145 votes

I’m a full-time working investor currently managing 3 properties — 2 rentals and a primary — and I’m looking to scale using the BRRRR method. But here’s the deal:

I’ve been reinvesting heavily in repairs, carrying losses, and trying to stay afloat while working toward long-term equity and freedom — but every year, I still get hammered on taxes. I’m done flying blind and I want someone in my corner who understands:

  • Real estate investing tax strategy
  • Passive loss limitations
  • How to structure LLCs, management entities, and 1031s
  • Depreciation, cost seg, REPS, and how to legally reduce tax burden

This isn’t about basic bookkeeping — I want to treat this like a business, build long-term wealth, and stop losing cash to the IRS while I build.

Ideally, I’d love to connect with:

  • A tax strategist, CPA, or advisor who works with active investors
  • Someone who understands the BRRRR model
  • Someone who’s investor-first and proactive, not just a form-filler

If you or someone you know is great at what they do and wants to help someone who’s serious about building this the right way — let’s connect.

Drop a message, DM, or tag someone you trust.

Thanks,

Will

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Michael PlaksPro Member
Tax Accountant / Enrolled Agent · Houston, TX · Member since 2014 · 5k+ posts · 6k+ votes
1y

@William Miller

If you have a full-time W2 job and are single, none of what you listed is going to reduce your current taxes. The strategies you mentioned apply to situations different from yours - click on the links for more info:

- REPS: for people without full-time W2 jobs or for their non-W2 spouses
- Depreciation
: always part of the deal but not going to reduce your taxes further
- Cost segregation
: depreciation on steroids, so see the line above
- LLCs and other entitie
s: no tax savings for rental properties
- STR loophole
: well, for short-term rentals
- 1031: for the time when you sell one of your rental properties
and so on

A good tax professional can explain all of the above but not miraculously cut your taxes unless you restructure your life or change your real estate holdings to STRs. And even then only to a point. But some of my colleagues love to create a thick smoke screen throwing around fancy terms and making vague but enticing promises that will not be relevant in your case.

Here is a post on how to find a good tax pro, and notice that we are NOT allowed to offer you our services, not publicly and not even via PM - not until/if the moderators move your post from the tax forum to Classifieds. Alas, some people will ignore this restriction and offer their services to you anyway. Others, like me, respect the BiggerPockets rules.
https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/51/topics/1222774-expla...

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  • Michael PlaksPro Member
    Tax Accountant / Enrolled Agent · Houston, TX · Member since 2014 · 5k+ posts · 6k+ votes
    1y

    @William Miller

    If you have a full-time W2 job and are single, none of what you listed is going to reduce your current taxes. The strategies you mentioned apply to situations different from yours - click on the links for more info:

    - REPS: for people without full-time W2 jobs or for their non-W2 spouses
    - Depreciation
    : always part of the deal but not going to reduce your taxes further
    - Cost segregation
    : depreciation on steroids, so see the line above
    - LLCs and other entitie
    s: no tax savings for rental properties
    - STR loophole
    : well, for short-term rentals
    - 1031: for the time when you sell one of your rental properties
    and so on

    A good tax professional can explain all of the above but not miraculously cut your taxes unless you restructure your life or change your real estate holdings to STRs. And even then only to a point. But some of my colleagues love to create a thick smoke screen throwing around fancy terms and making vague but enticing promises that will not be relevant in your case.

    Here is a post on how to find a good tax pro, and notice that we are NOT allowed to offer you our services, not publicly and not even via PM - not until/if the moderators move your post from the tax forum to Classifieds. Alas, some people will ignore this restriction and offer their services to you anyway. Others, like me, respect the BiggerPockets rules.
    https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/51/topics/1222774-expla...

  • Aaron ZimmermanBusiness Member
    Accountant · Chicago, IL · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    1y

    @William Miller - I'd recommend seeing who's active on the BP forums and interview a few people and then choose who you like. There's 20+ real estate accountants on here that would be happy to assist with your situation. 

    when you do come to the purchasing decision, you should make sure of the services you're getting. That way there's no confusion. A lot of people they're getting tax filing + advisory but only ever end up getting tax filing. 

  • Jason MalabuteBusiness Member
    Accountant · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 916 votes
    1y

    Hey Joe, I really resonate with your post — I’m a CPA and real estate investor myself, and I’ve been through multiple BRRRRs. It’s smart that you’re thinking beyond just compliance and looking at the bigger picture.

    From my experience, the key is working with someone who understands how all the pieces fit together — taxes, entity structure, passive activity rules, and long-term planning. The earlier you start building a proactive strategy, the more flexibility you’ll have as you scale.

    Sounds like you’re on the right track. Wishing you continued success on your journey.

    Malabute & Company CPAs527 Reviews
  • MN · Member since 2025 · 107 posts · 97 votes
    1y

    You are in the right industry for tax breaks! But as @Michael Plaks mentioned your biggest issue is going to be the W-2 job at this point. 

    Also, don’t downplay the importance of sound bookkeeping! And strategist (the respondents on this thread are all great examples) desperately need air tight bookkeeping to be effective, but of course if your accountant stops there you need to keep looking for an accountant.

    Do you have a spouse that does now work or works part time? Do you operate any short term rentals? Absent those two items, sounds bookkeeping and basis tracking might actually yield your best results (paired with someone who does a lot of 1031x)

  • MN · Member since 2025 · 107 posts · 97 votes
    1y

    My other word of caution would be that anyone trying to convince you that entity structuring advice will provide tax benefits for your rentals is someone you should think twice before hiring. They are likely motivated primarily by charging you fees for entity setup.

  • Bill HamptonBusiness Member
    Accredited Investment Fiduciary, AIF®, Financial Planner, Tax Strategist, Real Estate Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2012 · 2k+ posts · 979 votes
    1y

    @William Miller

    You came to the right place. Bigger Pockets is a great place to find an accountant specializing in real estate taxation.

    A good real estate accountant can save you thousands of dollars by leveraging entity selection and formation, tax deductions, cost segregations, bonus depreciation, 1031 exchanges and tax planning.

    I recommend finding an accountant specializing in real estate taxation, business taxation, financial planning and tax planning.

    Consider working with your accountant remotely to expand your options.

    I would also recommend looking for an accountant willing to work with you throughout the year. You want an accountant who can help you strategize and who is responsive when you want to know the consequences of the financial decisions you are making throughout the year.

    Good luck.

    Hampton Tax and Financial Services LLC4.7106 Reviews
  • Basit SiddiqiBusiness Member
    Accountant · New York, NY · Member since 2015 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    1y

    There are unique Tax aspects when you BRRRR a property

    When you refinance, you may be able to completely write off the old loan costs.
    You want to see what renovations are eligible for bonus depreciation.

    Best of luck to you in your search!

  • Jason MalabuteBusiness Member
    Accountant · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 916 votes
    1y

    I’m actually a CPA and have done three BRRRRs myself. What I love about BRRRRs is that you can pull cash out without a tax hit. In my opinion, it’s really important to work with a CPA who’s actually done BRRRRs personally.

    Malabute & Company CPAs527 Reviews
  • Zach LemasterBusiness Member
    Rental Property Investor · Denver, CO · Member since 2015 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    1y

    @William Miller check out @Amanda Han with Keystone CPA. She literally wrote the BP book on REI tax savings!!

  • Matthew SchumacherBusiness Member
    Member since 2025 · 43 posts · 26 votes
    1y

    Hey Will —

    I just want to say, mad respect for the grind you’re putting in. Balancing full-time work, managing three properties, reinvesting like crazy, and still getting steamrolled by taxes? That’s a familiar pain — and it’s clear you’re not here to play small.

    You're absolutely right to treat this like a business. Real estate investing isn't a side hustle — it's an empire in progress, and the tax side is where most empires either quietly bleed or start printing wealth.

    You're looking for someone who gets it, so let me shoot straight with you:

    ✅ Yes to REPS, passive loss unlocking, and cost seg timing
    ✅ Yes to layered LLCs, holding co’s, and management entity flows
    ✅ Yes to 1031s done right, and not just tossed in last-minute
    ✅ And hell yes to strategy over form-filling

    Whether you're trying to tee up long-term exits or turbocharge your depreciation in the short run, there are ways to structure this so the IRS becomes more of a footnote than a headline.

    I've worked with active investors (including BRRRR-heavy operators) and helped them go from reactive chaos to proactive tax planning — without getting bogged down in jargon or "CPA speak." Real talk, real numbers, real freedom.

    Would love to connect and learn more about your portfolio, where you’re trying to scale, and what moves you're eyeing next. If nothing else, I’m happy to share a few things most CPAs never bring up until it’s too late.

    Shoot me a DM or drop your email — let’s make the IRS work for your future, not against it.

    Tavola Group — More Than a Tax Return.4.729 Reviews
  • USA · Member since 2023 · 145 posts · 84 votes
    1y

    @William Miller Good question. I'm curious to know why you're getting hammered on taxes what does that mean exactly? If you have a W-2 job, your withholding should typically cover any taxes due (I'm inferring potential cash flow issues, but I could be off) as you should have paper real estate losses. Your planning scenarios may be limited with a W2 job.

     I would agree with my colleagues here that you definitely need solid bookkeeping as the foundation for any tax planning. 

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