No, Schedule E losses do not directly “knock out” or reduce the self-employment (SE) tax owed on Schedule C income—even if you qualify as a real estate professional (REP) and take large paper losses from cost segregation, bonus depreciation, or renovations on your rental portfolio.Here’s the breakdown based on IRS rules (from Pub 925 on passive activities, Schedule E instructions, and related guidance as of 2025–2026):Key Rules•  Schedule C income (e.g., your $100k realtor commissions) is non-passive, active trade or business income.

I wouldn't compare plans per se, but compare your available opportunities instead, a plan is great to have but you can only move forward with the opportunities in front of you.

Tons of FL and SE.

My investing strategy is buy and hold long-term rather than seeking a rapid replacement of income per se.

I’ve acquired 7 properties so far — mostly older duplexes in SE Wisconsin (and hoping to add more).I’m nearing 50 and currently don’t have a will or any estate plan in place.

I don't need a property manager per se, and usually what I have gotten from them is what I already do, the in person stuff I have not gotten as much good service or help with. 

A good pm company will be challged with a bad RE investment.good luck Dan, not to be argumentative, however I really doubt this was REI nation this is not how they operate and they tend to sell the higher value assets in Memphis from my trip there to visit them as a colleague not a client per se  We did the Heros home together And Chris at REI bought the home and did all the rehab before we donated it to a Hero.

I do have a copy of a sort of P&L from 2025 (gross annual rents total - not individualized but the seller provided me with monthly rates off the top of her head, repairs and maintainence costs for the year, water/sewer for the year, electric for the year, her insurance cost for the year, last year's tax invoice, last years fuel costs) but nothing itemized per se. 

Rental income is not SE income, even if you are a REP.

Lowest barrier to entry │ ├───────────────┼──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ Location: NW OKC, Edmond, Moore, Norman; stable rents; good tenant pool; reduced crime; ├───────────────┼──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ Steer clear of Far East or SE OKC.