{
“@context”: “https://schema.org”,
“@type”: “FAQPage”,
“mainEntity”: [
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What is the difference between Section 179 and bonus depreciation for real estate?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “The key practical difference: Section 179 cannot create a tax loss, while bonus depreciation can. For real estate investors in Riverside who want to maximize first-year deductions and potentially generate a net operating loss to offset W-2 or business income (through REPS or STR loophole), bonus depreciation is the superior tool. Section 179 is more commonly used for equipment and vehicles in operating businesses. KDA’s Riverside team will determine the optimal depreciation strategy for your specific portfolio.”
}
}, {
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What is a Qualified Opportunity Zone investment and how does it compare to a 1031 exchange?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “A Qualified Opportunity Zone (QOZ) investment allows you to defer capital gains from ANY asset sale (not just real estate) by investing the gain into a Qualified Opportunity Fund within 180 days. Unlike a 1031 exchange, you don’t need to reinvest the full proceeds — only the gain itself. If you hold the QOZ investment for 10+ years, all appreciation in the fund is completely tax-free. For Riverside investors with large capital gains from real estate sales, QOZ investments can be a powerful complement or alternative to a 1031 exchange. KDA’s team will compare both options for your specific situation.”
}
}, {
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What is the difference between active, passive, and portfolio income for real estate investors?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “The IRS classifies income into three categories, each with different tax treatment: (1) Active (earned) income — wages, self-employment income, real estate dealer income; subject to income tax AND self-employment/FICA tax. (2) Passive income — rental income, limited partnership income; subject to income tax but NOT self-employment tax; losses can only offset passive income. (3) Portfolio income — dividends, interest, capital gains; subject to income tax and potentially NIIT; not subject to SE tax. For Riverside real estate investors, the goal is to maximize passive income (no SE tax) while unlocking passive losses through REPS or the STR loophole.”
}
}, {
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What is Real Estate Professional Status (REPS) and how do I qualify?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Real Estate Professional Status is the most powerful tax designation available to real estate investors, but it’s also the most scrutinized by the IRS. The 750-hour requirement and majority-time test must be met and documented meticulously — contemporaneous time logs are essential. For Riverside investors who qualify, REPS converts all rental losses from passive to non-passive, allowing them to offset unlimited amounts of W-2 or business income. KDA’s team will evaluate your eligibility, help you build a compliant time-tracking system, and defend your REPS election if audited.”
}
}, {
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What is a 1031 exchange and how can a CPA help me use it?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “The 1031 exchange is how the wealthiest real estate investors in Riverside build multi-generational wealth — by never paying capital gains tax during their lifetime. Every exchange defers the tax, and if you hold the replacement property until death, your heirs receive a stepped-up basis that eliminates the deferred gain entirely. KDA’s Riverside real estate CPA team has guided hundreds of exchanges and will ensure yours is structured to maximize deferral and minimize risk.”
}
}, {
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What is a Delaware Statutory Trust (DST) and how does it work in a 1031 exchange?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “DSTs are the ‘retirement vehicle’ of 1031 exchanges. You sell your active rental property, exchange into a DST, and receive passive income from institutional real estate without any landlord responsibilities. The DST qualifies as like-kind property under IRS Revenue Ruling 2004-86, so all capital gains and depreciation recapture are fully deferred. For Riverside investors approaching retirement or simply wanting to exit active management, a DST exchange is one of the most powerful options available. KDA coordinates DST exchanges and can connect you with qualified DST sponsors.”
}
}, {
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “How much can I save with a cost segregation study on my rental property?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Cost segregation ROI is typically 10:1 to 30:1. A study costing $5,000 on a $600,000 Riverside rental property might generate $120,000–$180,000 in accelerated deductions and $44,000–$66,000 in immediate tax savings. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s permanent restoration of 100% bonus depreciation in 2025 makes this strategy even more powerful — you can write off the entire reclassified amount in year one rather than spreading it over 5–15 years.”
}
}, {
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What are the California FTB audit triggers for real estate investors?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “The California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) has specific audit triggers for real estate investors, including: (1) large rental losses claimed against W-2 income (REPS or STR loophole claims); (2) 1031 exchanges — especially out-of-state exchanges subject to clawback; (3) large cost segregation deductions; (4) change of residency combined with property sales (FTB scrutinizes whether you’re truly a nonresident); (5) discrepancies between federal and California returns (CA doesn’t conform to all federal provisions). KDA’s Riverside team builds audit-ready documentation for every strategy we deploy.”
}
}, {
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “How can I minimize taxes when I sell my rental property outright?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “If you decide to sell a Riverside rental property outright (without a 1031 exchange), the strategies to minimize taxes include: (1) maximize your adjusted basis — ensure all capital improvements are properly documented and added to basis; (2) time the sale in a low-income year to minimize the capital gains rate; (3) use an installment sale to spread the gain over multiple years; (4) apply suspended passive losses to offset the gain; (5) harvest capital losses from other investments to offset the gain; and (6) consider a charitable remainder trust if you have charitable intent. KDA’s team will model all options before you sign any sale agreement.”
}
}, {
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “How does the at-risk rules limitation affect real estate investors?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “At-risk rules and passive activity rules are two separate limitations that apply sequentially to Riverside real estate losses. First, losses are limited to your at-risk amount (equity + qualified nonrecourse debt). Then, remaining losses are subject to passive activity rules. For most Riverside investors with conventional mortgage financing, the at-risk rules are not a binding constraint — qualified nonrecourse financing counts as at-risk. KDA’s real estate CPA team will review your financing structure and ensure you’re maximizing your deductible losses under both sets of rules.”
}
}
]
}