{
“@context”: “https://schema.org”,
“@type”: “FAQPage”,
“mainEntity”: [
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What is Proposition 19 and how does it affect real estate investors in California?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Prop 19’s impact on San Diego real estate investors is significant. If you own rental properties with low Prop 13 assessed values and plan to pass them to your children, those properties will be reassessed at current market value upon transfer — potentially tripling or quadrupling annual property taxes. Mitigation strategies include: (1) transferring properties before death via irrevocable trusts; (2) using LLCs with gifted interests; or (3) selling and doing a 1031 exchange into properties with higher assessed values. KDA’s San Diego team will model the Prop 19 impact on your estate plan.”
}
}, {
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “How does California treat rental income from out-of-state investors?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “California’s ‘source income’ rules mean that owning rental property in San Diego creates a California tax filing obligation regardless of your state of residence. If you live in Arizona and own a rental property in Los Angeles, you owe California income tax on the rental income and capital gains from that property. The good news: you’ll receive a credit in your home state for taxes paid to California, reducing (but not eliminating) double taxation. KDA’s team handles multi-state real estate tax returns and ensures optimal credit allocation.”
}
}, {
“@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 San Diego 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 San Diego team will determine the optimal depreciation strategy for your specific portfolio.”
}
}, {
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “How do I handle mixed-use property (part personal, part rental) for tax purposes?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Mixed-use property — where you use part of the property personally and rent out the rest — requires careful allocation of income and expenses between personal and rental use. The rental portion generates deductible expenses (mortgage interest, property taxes, insurance, repairs, depreciation) proportional to the rental percentage. The personal portion is subject to the standard home mortgage interest and property tax deductions. For San Diego investors with ADUs, house hacking, or vacation homes with rental use, the allocation rules are complex. KDA’s team will calculate the optimal allocation and maximize your rental deductions.”
}
}, {
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What is the difference between a real estate dealer and a real estate investor for tax purposes?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “The IRS determines dealer vs. investor status based on facts and circumstances: frequency of sales, holding period, purpose of acquisition, and how you describe your activities. For San Diego investors who both flip and hold properties, the risk of dealer classification on held properties is real — the IRS may argue all your properties are held for sale. The solution: maintain separate entities for flipping (dealer) and long-term holds (investor), with clear documentation of intent for each property. KDA’s team will structure your entity architecture to protect your investor status.”
}
}, {
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What is the difference between the STR loophole and Real Estate Professional Status?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “The STR loophole is the ‘shortcut’ version of REPS for W-2 earners. REPS requires you to be a full-time real estate professional (750+ hours, majority of working time). The STR loophole only requires material participation in a specific short-term rental activity — which can be achieved with 100+ hours per year if no other person spends more time on the activity. Both strategies generate the same result: rental losses that offset active income. KDA’s San Diego team will determine which strategy fits your lifestyle and income profile.”
}
}, {
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What expenses can I deduct for my Airbnb or short-term rental property?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “The deduction list for a San Diego STR is extensive: platform fees (Airbnb/VRBO typically charges 3%), cleaning fees you pay, all utilities, internet, cable, furnishings (100% bonus depreciation in 2026), appliances, maintenance and repairs, property management, insurance, mortgage interest, property taxes, depreciation on the building, and a cost segregation study to accelerate depreciation on building components. If you have a home office for managing your STR, that’s deductible too. KDA’s team will conduct a full deduction audit to ensure you’re capturing everything.”
}
}, {
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What is the Section 121 exclusion and can I use it for investment property?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “The Section 121 exclusion allows homeowners to exclude up to $250,000 ($500,000 married) of capital gains from the sale of their primary residence, provided they’ve owned and used it as their primary residence for at least 2 of the last 5 years. Investment properties do NOT qualify for the Section 121 exclusion. However, if you convert an investment property to your primary residence, live in it for 2+ years, and then sell, you may qualify for a partial exclusion. The exclusion does NOT apply to depreciation recapture — that portion is always taxable. KDA’s San Diego team will model the Section 121 opportunity for any investment property you’re considering converting.”
}
}, {
“@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 San Diego 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”: “Do I need a specialized real estate CPA or will any CPA do?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “The IRS tax code contains hundreds of provisions specifically designed for real estate investors. A general CPA may know 10–20% of them. A real estate CPA at KDA knows all of them and applies them proactively to your portfolio. In San Diego’s competitive real estate market, the investors who win long-term are the ones with the best tax strategy — and that requires a specialist.”
}
}
]
}