Tax Accountant Real Estate/Rentals

Member since 2022 · 11 posts · 7 votes

Hi everyone, I am posting in here to hopefully find someone knowledgeable and respected in the tax business for real estate professionals. I have been an agent for the past few years and a investor. I feel like many of the people I have used in the past just don't really grasp all the benifits of our profession. I'm looking for someone local in the PGH area if anyone has recommendations for when the time comes in the next few months.

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Jason MalabuteBusiness Member

Accountant · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 903 votes

10mo

I’d actually focus less on finding someone local and more on finding someone who truly specializes in real estate. A lot of CPAs can file a return, but very few really understand the nuances of agents, investors, short-term rentals, cost segregation, entity structure, and compliance.

For example, I’m based in California, but I help clients nationwide, and many real-estate-focused CPAs operate the same way. The key is specialization, not geography.

When you’re interviewing CPAs, ask them this very basic question:

“How do you handle taxes and accounting differently for real estate agents versus real estate investors?”

If they can’t clearly explain the difference, that’s a sign they don’t truly specialize in the space.

Also, I’d throw in a simple trick question to see how deep their understanding is:

“Can I keep my bookkeeping for my real estate agent business and my real estate investments in the same workbook?”

If they say yes, be very careful .

And of course, always ask for references and make sure they have a proven track record working specifically with real estate professionals.

Malabute & Company CPAs525 Reviews

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Jaycee GreenePro Member
Real Estate Consultant · St. Louis MSA · Member since 2024 · 3k+ posts · 727 votes
10mo
Quote from @Zach Logan:

Hi everyone, I am posting in here to hopefully find someone knowledgeable and respected in the tax business for real estate professionals. I have been an agent for the past few years and a investor. I feel like many of the people I have used in the past just don't really grasp all the benifits of our profession. I'm looking for someone local in the PGH area if anyone has recommendations for when the time comes in the next few months.

@Zach Logan Sorry I don't have any recs in PGH, but if you're open to someone remote, I recommend @Joshua Thompson in Dallas. Good luck!
[email protected]
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- Zach Logan
  OP
  Member since 2022 · 11 posts · 7 votes
  10mo
  @Jaycee Greene Ty can always be a possibility appreciate it
  1 Reply
Michael PlaksPro Member
Tax Accountant / Enrolled Agent · Houston, TX · Member since 2014 · 5k+ posts · 6k+ votes
10mo
Quote from @Zach Logan:

Hi everyone, I am posting in here to hopefully find someone knowledgeable and respected in the tax business for real estate professionals. I have been an agent for the past few years and a investor. I feel like many of the people I have used in the past just don't really grasp all the benifits of our profession. I'm looking for someone local in the PGH area if anyone has recommendations for when the time comes in the next few months.

I suggest you rethink two parts of your plan:
1- limiting your search to local experts. It's 2025, almost 2026, and everything in the tax industry is done remotely these days
2 - waiting "a few months." Many tax professionals will be fully booked by then. The time to find one is now.

Here is more: https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/51/topics/1222774-expla...

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Bill HamptonBusiness Member
Accredited Investment Fiduciary, AIF®, Financial Planner, Tax Strategist, Real Estate Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2012 · 2k+ posts · 978 votes
10mo
@Zach Logan
Reach out to a few of the accountants here on BP and see who you connect with.
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.
404-482-3170
Hampton Tax and Financial Services LLC4.7106 Reviews
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Pierre E.Pro Member
Washington, DC · Member since 2016 · 129 posts · 42 votes
10mo
While you search for CPAs, I think a general principle is the more you learn the easier it will be to interface with your CPA and you will make a better choice on who you go with. The people below have a lot of real estate tax information available on their websites (like Hall CPA) or on their youtube channels, or instagram accounts etc. Most are also available for hire but may or may not be a good fit
at the very least learning from their books (Amanda Han) Websites (Brandon Hall) or Youtube content (Hall, Dennis, Kohler, Dilucci) will give you the most

Brandon Hall / Thomas Castelli / TSI / Hall CPA / Tax Smart REI
Amanda Han & Matt McFarland / Keystone CPA
Mat Sorensen JD and Mark J. Kohler CPA JD /Directed IRA Podcast
Jasmine DiLucci, JD, CPA, EA
Karlton Dennis
Tom Wheelwright

Good luck @Zach Logan!
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Aaron ZimmermanBusiness Member
Accountant · Chicago, IL · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
10mo
It's more important that you find a real estate cpa than someone local. Most CPAs work in all 50 states anyway. There's a lot of great CPAs in the forums and I'd recommend seeing who's active and then reaching out to a few. You can also use the find a tax pro feature.

Id also recommend you reach out before the end of the year. (1) CPAs will book up; (2) you limit your ability to tax plan by engaging a professional in 2026; (3) you make tax season more stressful on yourself
[email protected]
Brick House CPAs53 Reviews
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Ashish AcharyaBusiness Member
CPA, CFP®, PFS · FL · Member since 2017 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
10mo
@Zach Logan,
Just sent you a DM with guides and necessary details as i cant share them here publicly. Feel free to check it out when you’re free!

Looking forward to connecting soon!
[email protected]941-914-7779
INVESTOR FRIENDLY CPA®5241 Reviews
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TaxMD® | Tax Planning Software
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- Jared York
  Rental Property Investor · Wichita Falls · Member since 2018 · 16 posts · 7 votes
  10mo
  Quote from @Ashish Acharya:
  
  @Zach Logan,
  Just sent you a DM with guides and necessary details as i cant share them here publicly. Feel free to check it out when you’re free!
  
  Looking forward to connecting soon!
  Can you message me also? I used a CPA for a couple of years and found that they weren't doing any more than I would by using a tax service online. I see so many RE investors talk about how important a good CPA is but I haven't seen the benefit yet.
  0 Reply
Basit SiddiqiBusiness Member
Accountant · New York, NY · Member since 2015 · 8k+ posts · 3k+ votes
10mo
If you are an agent and a real estate investor, have a conversation with your accountant to see if you are eligible to claim real estate professional status.
[email protected]917-280-8544
Basit Siddiqi CPA4.979 Reviews
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Fulton Abraham Sanchez
CPA| New Clients Welcome| 50 States · Member since 2016 · 440 posts · 93 votes
10mo
@Zach Logan, hi. Generalist preparers often leave money on the table for agents/investors. When you’re interviewing CPAs, ask how they handle:

Separating agent vs. investor expenses

Real estate professional status and grouping elections

QBI on commissions and rentals

A good real estate-savvy CPA should have clear answers and real examples, not just “we’ll see at tax time.” You don't need to narrow your search to local CPAs, most CPAs work across different states, focus instead on finding someone real estate savvvy.

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Jason MalabuteBusiness Member
Accountant · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 903 votes
10mo

I’d actually focus less on finding someone local and more on finding someone who truly specializes in real estate. A lot of CPAs can file a return, but very few really understand the nuances of agents, investors, short-term rentals, cost segregation, entity structure, and compliance.

For example, I’m based in California, but I help clients nationwide, and many real-estate-focused CPAs operate the same way. The key is specialization, not geography.

When you’re interviewing CPAs, ask them this very basic question:

“How do you handle taxes and accounting differently for real estate agents versus real estate investors?”

If they can’t clearly explain the difference, that’s a sign they don’t truly specialize in the space.

Also, I’d throw in a simple trick question to see how deep their understanding is:

“Can I keep my bookkeeping for my real estate agent business and my real estate investments in the same workbook?”

If they say yes, be very careful .

And of course, always ask for references and make sure they have a proven track record working specifically with real estate professionals.
Malabute & Company CPAs525 Reviews
Website View Page
2 Reply
Rohullah Sharifi
Dr · VA · Member since 2025 · 154 posts · 34 votes
10mo
Important point is the knowledge of the US tax laws and systems, doesn't matter that operates in which state.
Rohullah
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