Did you know you could front-load your property depreciation to potentially wipe out your real estate income—legally? Sean Graham, CPA and founder of Maven Cost Segregation, unpacks how savvy investors leverage cost segregation to minimize taxes and maximize cash flow. In this episode, he breaks down complex tax strategies like bonus depreciation, passive vs. active income treatment, and even how building materials can influence depreciation schedules. Whether you’re buying a single-family rental or developing a multi-million-dollar commercial project, understanding these strategies could make a huge difference in your returns.
Guest Bio
Sean Graham is a CPA and the founder of Maven Cost Segregation. With a background in tax and accounting, Sean transitioned full-time into real estate as a self-storage investor. He now combines his tax expertise with his real estate experience to help investors reduce their taxable income through cost segregation strategies. His firm serves clients ranging from single-family rental owners to large commercial developers.
Episode Highlights and Chapters
00:01 – The “boring accountant” who helps you pay fewer taxes
01:28 – Sean’s path from CPA to self-storage investor and cost segregation expert
03:33 – What is depreciation and why it matters in real estate
04:51 – Accelerating depreciation: front-loading expenses for upfront tax benefit
05:30 – Residential vs. commercial depreciation schedules
06:00 – How bonus depreciation turbocharges cost segregation
07:39 – Offsetting passive and active income: real estate professional status and loopholes
09:30 – Real-world example: Sean’s Chicago triplex and depreciation in action
10:39 – Depreciation recapture and avoiding taxes through 1031 exchanges
12:22 – Using depreciation from new properties to offset gains from sold ones
13:06 – Depreciating new developments: when it starts and how it works
14:58 – Why timing your certificate of occupancy can impact your taxes
16:30 – How your building materials can affect depreciation classification
18:16 – Wrapping up: two episodes coming, one on cost segregation and one on self-storage
Contact Information
To connect with Sean Graham or explore cost segregation for your property, visit:
https://mavencostseg.com/EG – Exclusive discount for listeners of the show
Email: sean@mavencostseg.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-graham-cpa/
To learn more about the podcast or reach out to host Eugene Gershman, visit:
https://giscompanies.co/podcast/
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