California CPA Recommendation

California Real Estate Q&A Discussion Forum
5yFollow

California CPA Recommendation

Allen Tracy
Chatsworth, CA · Member since 2016 · 190 posts · 224 votes

Does anyone have a tax person they'd recommend? I live in California and have properties in Columbus, OH.  I'm open to CPAs all over the states but I've heard it might be better to get someone in California because of our specialized tax laws.  I've used the same tax guy for over 20 years only because he does the taxes for my parents and their business. He's a few hours away from me so I'm used to working remotely with a CPA. He doesn't give me the attention I require and sometimes doesn't even return my e-mails. I'm ready to move on and find someone who can help me grow my RE portfolio.

3Reply
263 views

Most Popular Reply

Veronica Haniger
Santa Cruz, CA · Member since 2019 · 18 posts · 16 votes
4y

@Mark Frattini would love their contact info. I’m looking for someone to start planning out the next couple of years with. I’m a W2 employee that likes to buy and fix up short term rentals. I also am starting to manage a couple of other short term rentals so want to make sure I’m keeping as much of this income as possible.

7Reply
See this reply in the discussion

55 Replies

Jump to latestLatest
  • Katie L.
    Attorney and CPA · San Diego, CA · Member since 2017 · 590 posts · 422 votes
    5y

    @Allen Tracy

    I know a lot of CPAs in San Diego if that's an okay distance for you.  I grew up near Chatsworth but don't know any professionals out that way.  I would agree that you would be best served by either a CA-based CPA or one who is well versed in CA laws.

    *This post does not create an attorney-client or CPA-client relationship.  The information contained in this post is not to be relied upon.  Readers are advised to seek professional advice.

    4Reply
  • Remington LymanBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2017 · 6k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @Allen Tracy:

    Does anyone have a tax person they'd recommend? I live in California and have properties in Columbus, OH.  I'm open to CPAs all over the states but I've heard it might be better to get someone in California because of our specialized tax laws.  I've used the same tax guy for over 20 years only because he does the taxes for my parents and their business. He's a few hours away from me so I'm used to working remotely with a CPA. He doesn't give me the attention I require and sometimes doesn't even return my e-mails. I'm ready to move on and find someone who can help me grow my RE portfolio.

     @Kevin Gray is who I work with here in Columbus, Ohio

    [email protected]614-541-8475Podcast Guest on Show My Job Laid Me Off, So I Replaced My Salary with Rentals
    Reafco512 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    1Reply
  • Phil CollettPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Rancho Cucamonga, CA · Member since 2017 · 39 posts · 16 votes
    5y

    I used Robert Hall & Associates (Glendale, Ca) last year and that went ok with all the fun with extended deadlines and lockdowns and remote work. My returns also got a bit too complicated with niche REI stuff for the great tax guy I used for many years and still does my parents and sisters taxes.
    They handle other REI guys and attend some REIA groups I went to and knew about bonus depreciation, K1, cost segs, schedule E and HELOC junk used for investing and private lending. Knew I could recapture points paid in a previous loan after a refi, etc.

    They will do a intro call. Be prepared to do a bunch of legwork filling in their questionnaire though. I interrogated the crap out of my quicken files to fill in some of the info for the property sheets.

    (Hi @Katie L., we chatted a bit last year around this time :)

    3Reply
  • Peter MckernanBusiness Member
    Residential Real Estate Agent · Irvine, CA · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    5y

    @Allen Tracy got one CPA that I use, he is based closer to me however, good one to put on your list to contact. I will shoot you a PM.

    The McKernan Group4.954 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    2Reply
  • Bill HamptonBusiness Member
    Accredited Investment Fiduciary, AIF®, Financial Planner, Tax Strategist, Real Estate Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2012 · 2k+ posts · 977 votes
    5y

    Allen, 

    I recommend finding an accountant who specializes in real estate taxation over one that is local. You may want to consider working with your accountant remotely to expand your options.

    I would also recommend looking for a tax strategist who is willing to work with you throughout the year, not just when preparing your tax return. You want an accountant that can help you strategize and who is responsive when you want to know the tax consequences of the decisions you are making throughout the year.

    Good luck and let me know if you have any questions.

    404-482-3170
    Hampton Tax and Financial Services LLC4.7106 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    2Reply
  • Basit SiddiqiBusiness Member
    Accountant · New York, NY · Member since 2015 · 8k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    5y

    @Allen Tracy

    California state tax laws are complex and you do want to work with a professional who understands state tax laws.
    You also want to work with a CPA who understands multi-state taxation since you have to have property out of state and as a result need to file an OH state tax return.

    Ohio is a unique state in that it requires the filing of many locality returns.

    Good luck in your search!

    [email protected]917-280-8544
    Basit Siddiqi CPA4.979 Reviews
    View Page
    4Reply
  • Kat Desquitado
    New to Real Estate · Dallas, TX · Member since 2019 · 6 posts · 0 votes
    5y

    @Katie L. I'm also looking for CPA's specifically in the SoCal area. Could you recommend a few?

    0Reply
  • Vivian Liu
    Member since 2019 · 1 post · 1 vote
    4y

    @Peter Mckernan can you please share your CPA contact?  I'm looking for one close to OC/Irvine.  Thanks in advance 

    1Reply
  • Mark Frattini
    Real Estate Agent · San Diego, CA · Member since 2014 · 338 posts · 176 votes
    4y
    I've referred my CPA to several others on BP. Happy to connect and share their contact info.
    7Reply
  • Veronica Haniger
    Santa Cruz, CA · Member since 2019 · 18 posts · 16 votes
    4y

    @Mark Frattini would love their contact info. I’m looking for someone to start planning out the next couple of years with. I’m a W2 employee that likes to buy and fix up short term rentals. I also am starting to manage a couple of other short term rentals so want to make sure I’m keeping as much of this income as possible.

    7Reply
  • Paolo Ertreo
    Homeowner · CA · Member since 2021 · 8 posts · 5 votes
    4y

    @Mark Frattini I would also love their contact info if possible. I'm getting started investing OOS and am looking for a CA-based CPA> thanks!

    1Reply
  • Justin Jabuka
    Member since 2021 · 3 posts · 1 vote
    4y

    @Mark Frattini if you wouldn’t mind I’d also like your CPS’s info. Thank you! 

    1Reply
  • Juan Cueva
    Member since 2022 · 2 posts · 1 vote
    4y

    @Mark Frattini I would also appreciate your CPA's contact information.

    1Reply
  • Nathan Adams
    Investor · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2016 · 38 posts · 22 votes
    4y

    @Peter Mckernan I’m in SoCal as well. Can you PM me the CPA? Thank you!!

    1Reply
  • Greg O'BrienBusiness Member
    Accountant · Boston, MA · Member since 2019 · 386 posts · 336 votes
    4y

    California has a lot of nuances, but most virtual CPA firms on BP are familiar since such a large portion of clients come from there! The FTB has its challenges, but California is not so unique that a local CPA is always necessary. I would focus on CPAs that specialize in real estate and even better, if they specialize in a subset (such as multi family, STRs etc). There are pretty stark differences within real estate (from the tax perspective) and a CPA that works with SFR investors may not be away of the vast differences with MFs or STRs.

    1Reply
  • J Schwiep
    Investor · Member since 2021 · 2 posts · 1 vote
    4y
    Quote from @Mark Frattini:
    I've referred my CPA to several others on BP. Happy to connect and share their contact info.

     @Mark Frattini I'd love your rec! I think I've outgrown my current CPA :)

    1Reply
  • Nok Prukpitikul
    Member since 2020 · 2 posts · 2 votes
    4y

    @Mark Frattini Would you mind recommending your CPA as well, please? Thank you. 

    1Reply
  • Nok Prukpitikul
    Member since 2020 · 2 posts · 2 votes
    4y

    @Peter Mckernan I live really close to Irvine. I just moved from Chicago and have a Long term rental there. Now looking to buy a STR in another state. I would love to work with a good real estate focused CPA. Thank you for recommending.

    1Reply
  • Fulton Abraham Sanchez
    Accountant · CPA Miami, FL · Member since 2022 · 192 posts · 43 votes
    4y

    @Nok Prukpitikul, hi. Please do not hesitate in reaching out with your enquiries. We are a CPA firm with clients across the country. 

    FAS CPA & Consultants

    0Reply
  • Derrick Johnson
    Member since 2019 · 6 posts · 1 vote
    3y

    @Mark Frattini Could you please send CPA information? I need an accountant that know how to properly depreciate assets. 

    1Reply
  • Laura Barajas
    Member since 2021 · 4 posts · 8 votes
    3y

    @Mark Frattini could you PM me that CPA contact please? Thx

    1Reply
  • Adrienne Patel
    Member since 2017 · 17 posts · 8 votes
    3y

    @Mark Frattini I would also be interested in getting your CPA contact information please.  Thanks!

    1Reply
  • Adrienne Patel
    Member since 2017 · 17 posts · 8 votes
    3y

    @Peter Mckernan would you mind sharing your CPA recommendation to me as well?  Thank you!

    1Reply
  • Natalie Naito
    Member since 2021 · 6 posts · 2 votes
    3y

    @Peter Mckernan @Mark Frattini Would you mind also sharing your CPAs information with me?  Thank you in advance!

    1Reply
  • Jonathon Yoppini
    Sacramento, CA · Member since 2015 · 2 posts · 1 vote
    3y

    @Mark Frattinicould you PM me that CPA contact please? Thank you 

    1Reply
Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.
Log InJoin for Free