Episode 160: How Doctors Slash Their W2 Taxes Using Short-Term Rentals: 100% Bonus Depreciation with Amanda Han & Matt McFarland

Welcome back to the Luxury Rental Doctor Podcast! 🎧

What if you could slash your tax bill in half without buying another property? In this game-changing episode, Dr. Rachel sits down with Amanda Han, CPA, and Matt McFarland, CPA—tax strategists and BiggerPockets authors—to reveal the hidden power of the One Big Beautiful Bill and how short-term rentals can unlock massive tax savings for high-income medical professionals.

From 100% bonus depreciation to the short-term rental tax loophole that could save you six figures, Amanda and Matt break down exactly how W-2 earners can use real estate to offset their income—even without an LLC. They share real strategies for converting long-term rentals, leveraging 401(k) funds, and meeting material participation hours without turning your investment into a second job.

If you're a burnt-out physician, dentist, or pharmacist paying too much in taxes while working 60-hour weeks, this episode is your roadmap to keeping more of what you've already earned—legally and strategically. 💡

💡 Key Takeaways

• No LLC Required: You don't need a legal entity to take real estate tax deductions—you just need to be in the business of investing.
• 100% Bonus Depreciation Is Back: The One Big Beautiful Bill more than doubled tax benefits by restoring 100% bonus depreciation (up from 40%).
• Short-Term Rental Tax Loophole: One of the few strategies that lets W-2 earners offset their income with real estate losses—even as a side hustle.
• Material Participation Matters: You need 500 hours OR 100+ hours (with more time than anyone else) to unlock the short-term rental benefits.
• Don't Take Tax Advice from Property Managers: Hiring a property manager doesn't mean their hours count as yours—this mistake could cost you $50K-$200K in tax savings.
• Convert to Win: Switching an unfurnished long-term rental to a furnished short-term rental makes furniture and improvements immediately deductible.
• Self-Directed Retirement Accounts: Doctors can roll old 401(k)s into self-directed IRAs to invest in real estate without penalties.
• Solo 401(k) Strategy: Practice owners without full-time employees can contribute $50K-$60K+ annually, get an immediate write-off, and invest in real estate tax-deferred.
• Seven-Day Rule: For tax purposes, short-term rentals have an average stay of 7 days or less; longer stays may qualify as long-term rentals.
• Proactive Planning Wins: Meeting with your CPA in Q3/Q4 for year-end tax planning unlocks 10-20 strategies versus 1-2 in March.
• Real Estate Professional Status: If your spouse doesn't work full-time, they may qualify as a real estate professional, allowing you to use losses against all income types.
• Tax Marriage Strategy: High-income singles can either marry a real estate professional or invest in short-term rentals for maximum tax benefits.
• AI and Automation: Modern technology allows you to meet material participation hours without turning your rental into a second job.
• The More Attention You Pay to Your Money, the More You Get to Keep: Tax savings don't happen magically—they require intentional strategy and education.

🗂️ Topics Covered

[00:00] Introduction: Tax Breaks Without an LLC

[00:35] Amanda's Real Estate Investment Background

[00:51] Matt's "Aha Moment" with Real Estate Taxes

[01:49] Working Together as a Married CPA Team

[02:22] Dealing with Reluctant Spouses in Real Estate Investing

[03:38] Dr. Rachel's Story: Using Cold Hard Cash to Convince Her Husband

[05:31] The Most Common Mistake Healthcare Professionals Make

[06:31] You're a Business Owner (LLC or Not!)

[07:08] Breaking Down the One Big Beautiful Bill

[08:17] New Tax Benefits: Property Taxes, Overtime Income, Car Loan Interest

[09:27] 100% Bonus Depreciation Revival for...