Part-Time BRRRR Investors — This New Bill Just Made Things Better

Part-Time BRRRR Investors — This New Bill Just Made Things Better

Brian TeeterBusiness Member
Real Estate Agent · Little Rock, AR · Member since 2021 · 75 posts · 64 votes

Politics aside — what’s done is done. But there’s some good news for investors buried in the recently passed federal bill (nicknamed the One Big Beautiful Bill) that could seriously benefit your investing strategy. Whether you're doing this part-time while juggling another job or you're all-in as a full-time Real Estate Professional (REP), as I see it, there are some real wins to pay attention to.

Im an investor and also work with investors in Little Rock, Arkansas. I find that everyone always likes to focus on Cash Flow and Appreciation. BUT, I find my average investor doesnt always fully appreciate the tax advantages and factor those into their numbers when analyzing a deal. 

Two Big Wins for Part-Time BRRRR Investors:

1. 100% Bonus Depreciation — Still a Win (with Limits)
If you're rehabbing properties post-acquisition, you can now fully depreciate many capital improvements (roofs, HVACs, appliances, flooring, etc.) in year one.
Part-Time Investor Caveat:
If you're not classified as a Real Estate Professional by the IRS, these depreciation losses are considered passive. That means they can only offset passive income (like rental profits), not your W-2 or other active income.
Tip: Coordinate timing of renovations with your CPA to maximize use of passive losses — especially if you have other rental income to offset.

REP Advantage:
If you are a Real Estate Professional (i.e., spend 750+ hours/year and over half your working time in real estate), these losses can be used to offset active income like W-2 wages or business income — significantly increasing your tax savings.

2. Increased Business Interest Deductibility — A Huge Boost for Leveraged Deals
Real estate businesses can now deduct up to 40% of adjusted taxable income for interest expenses (up from 30%).
This is a huge help for BRRRR investors — especially those using DSCR loans, hard money, or other leverage-heavy strategies.
Part-Time Friendly: Even if you're not full-time, you can qualify for this benefit as long as you're structured as a real estate business (LLC, S-Corp, etc.).
Electing out of Section 163(j) is still an option but would require you to use the longer ADS depreciation method — worth a strategic discussion with your tax advisor.

Quick Recap:

For Part-Time BRRRR Investors:

  • Bonus Depreciation: YES — offsets passive income only.
  • Interest Deduction (163(j)): YES — as long as you’re structured as a business.

For Full-Time REPs:

  • Bonus Depreciation: YES — can offset both passive and active income.
  • Interest Deduction (163(j)): YES — with potentially bigger impact due to larger active income deductions.

This bill opens doors for both sides of the fence — whether you’re scaling a few rentals on the side or fully immersed in real estate. The difference is in how you can apply these benefits — and smart planning can help you get the most from them either way.

Is anyone here adjusting their acquisition or renovation timelines to take advantage of this? Or changing how they’re structured for tax purposes?

Would love to hear what your CPAs or tax strategists are recommending.

Let’s compare notes!

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

    I think the biggest win is 100% bonus depreciation being made permananent so will touch on that. I think this will be a boon for syndications and STRs in particular as there are now more tax benefits to be obtained in year one. I didn't see any changes on class lives (it was Under 20 years or less for bonus depreciation eligible items) and typically roofs, hvacs etc are only eligible on commercial (39 year property) as qualified improvement property, not on residential property.

    It also makes buying at these levels easier if you can do a cost seg study and offset income. It's an important reminder that wealth in real estate is built 4 ways (cash flow, appreciation, depreciation, and tax benefits). 

  • Jason MalabuteBusiness Member
    Accountant · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 914 votes
    1y

    The most significant change is that 100% bonus depreciation has been made permanent. This is especially beneficial for syndications and short-term rentals, since investors can now take advantage of major tax deductions all in the first year. I didn’t see any adjustments for class lives—so items with a useful life of 20 years or less still qualify. That includes things like roofs, HVAC systems, and other improvements, but only when attached to commercial property (39-year property). Residential property doesn’t qualify.

    This also makes it easier to justify purchases because you can combine cost segregation studies with income offsets. It’s another reminder that real estate wealth is built on four pillars: cash flow, appreciation, depreciation, and tax benefits.

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