Rental Property Investor · North Fork, NY · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 631 votes
Hi - this is a forum I just discovered.
We're about to buy our first flip and expect gains this year, over and above our two W-2's. Can anyone speak of the losses doing a flip can use to minimize the tax consequences? I want to factor that in to the deal analyzer.
I know they'll want to tax it at the higher capital gains rate as opposed to the lower rate in a buy and hold scenario.
Thanks for any advice. We haven't used a business entity as a tax saving vehicle until now.
Accountant, Enrolled Agent · Grayslake, IL · Member since 2011 · 5k+ posts · 2k+ votes
9y
Flips are not capital gains it is considered ordinary business income. A buy and hold situation such as a rental exceeding a year plus one day would allow you to qualify for capital gains.
Short term capital gains are taxed as income using your marginal tax rate if you only do 1-3 properties per year. If you are only doing one property this year, you can possibly do a 1031 exchange and roll the profits into the next property. Once you get past 4 or more properties, you'll no longer be considered an investor and will also have to pay self employment tax (increased social security and medicare) on top of the gains being taxed as income. You'll also lose the ability to use a 1031 exchange.
Accountant, Enrolled Agent · Grayslake, IL · Member since 2011 · 5k+ posts · 2k+ votes
9y
Flips are not capital gains it is considered ordinary business income. A buy and hold situation such as a rental exceeding a year plus one day would allow you to qualify for capital gains.
Real Estate Agent · Washington, D.C. · Member since 2012 · 17k+ posts · 30k+ votes
9y
@Steven Hamilton II is correct. A flip is ordinary business income. You will have to pay self employment taxes on the profit. Capital gains pays no part in a flip.
Rental Property Investor · North Fork, NY · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 631 votes
9y
Thank you for your answers. So far, so good. Except now my question is "Should I expect to pay the self employment taxes, even though I'm employed full time and get a w2? Can I offset that somehow?