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Apartment Building Cost Segregation Analysis

Ted Karsch
2 min read

Cost Segregation

One of the great advantages of commercial property investing is the tax benefits. The IRS has a program that allows the owners of apartment buildings or any other commercial property to increase the level of accelerated depreciation allowed in a tax year.

The tax savings may go back to property acquired after 1986, and they apply to new or future construction. They also extend to existing buildings under renovation, expansion and leasehold improvements, as well as to property about to be acquired. It can also be used for financial accounting, insurance and property tax purposes. The primary goal of a cost segregation study is to identify all construction-related costs that qualify for accelerated income tax depreciation. Cost segregation is not a tax shelter and it is not tax evasion.

Ask Yourself These Questions To Determine if You and Your Property Qualify:

Do you own a commercial property valued at $500,000 or more?

Do you pay federal income taxes?

Do you operate a corporation or entity that is for-profit?

Are you planning to the hold the property for more than one year?

To Obtain the Benefits of Cost Segregation You Must Get a Study

Your cost segregation study will analyze the taxes and costs incurred to buy, construct or renovate any kind of commercial real estate. You will need to procure the services of an expert or CPA to conduct the study. The CPA will dissect the costs to determine the accelerated income tax schedules. In order to meet the minimum qualifications of a cost segregation study, property owners must be taxpayers or intend to pay taxes. The cost of a study can range between $10,000 and $100.000.00 depending on the size and complexity of the project.

Advantages of Cost Segregation

  • Considerable return on investments property that do not need to be insured.
  • Increased tax deductions for depreciation and reduces taxable income.
  • Opportunity to correct misclassified assets and claim “catch-up” tax deductions.
  • Ability to achieve faster building and acquisition cost write offs.
  • Reduction in insurance costs by identifying the components of the property that do not need to be insured.
  • Determine personal property versus real property for write off versus capitalization prior to construction. This allows you to write off these items opposed to capitalizing the assets. This can provide you with huge tax benefits.
  • Defers taxes on capital gain amounts until the property is sold.
  • Reduces real estate property taxes.
  • Reduces federal income tax and increases depreciation.

Note By BiggerPockets: These are opinions written by the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions of BiggerPockets.