Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Brian Bigham, Cost Seg Cowboy, Tax preparation service, Fort Worth, TX.
07/28/2025
The IRS is not just looking for errors, they are watching for aggressive depreciation claims.
If you overestimate the value of certain assets in your cost segregation study, expect extra scrutiny
Stay cautious and make sure to work with a pro to stay audit-proof
07/24/2025
Here is a rough estimate for Airbnb write-offs (2024-2025 currently):
For every $100K in property basis, expect - $18K in depreciation losses in the first year at 60% bonus.
If goes down to $12K January 1 because bonus will be 40% so if you can close by EOY...do it.
Want to see how much you can save? Let's talk cost segregation.
07/21/2025
Did you know the chance of being audited is under 2% for most taxpayers?
While it is low, it's still crucial to keep your records organized.
- Work with certified professionals (cost segregation has certifications)
- Maintain clean records/books
- Follow your tax professional's lead
Stay informed and prepared to make the audit process smoother if it every happens.
07/17/2025
Earn $600K and pay around $150K in federal taxes?
With $2.5M in CRE, you could show a $600K loss in the first year, eliminating that tax bill.
-Earn income
- Buy real estate
- defer taxes
- reinvest the cash flow
- rinse and repeat
07/14/2025
Bought a property in a previous year and did not take advantage of cost segregation?
You can still catch up on depreciation
Work with your tax pro to file Form 3115 and switch from straight-line to accelerated depreciation.
07/10/2025
TAX TEAM
A few key roles to consider when building out a Tax Team: for your Real Estate Firm.
- Book keeper
- CPA
- Cost Seg
- Tax Attorney
All play key roles on the process.
Some are more day-to-day, and other are "big picture", but all play key roles.
07/07/2025
A Cost segregation study creates losses via a non-cash expense (called depreciation) that reduces your taxable income.
Your tax rate tells you the dollar value of the loss.
- 37% rate => $100K loss => $37K savings
- 25% rate => $100K loss => $25K savings
07/03/2025
What happens after a cost segregation study?
You get a report that breaks out asset values into 5,7,15, and 27.5/39 year categories.
Your tax pro uses this to create your depreciation schedule and apply losses to your return or distribute them to investors via K-1s.
From there you want to be mindful of additional expenses when making improvements.
Improvement costs can also be segregated and can yield massive tax savings.
06/30/2025
Investing Short-term vs. Long-term
If your hold window is short (less than 3 years), cost segregation might not be the best option.
Keep in mind the recapture tax, which taxes the depreciation you have claimed when you sell.
Some of it will be taxed at your ordinary income rate rather than the lower capital gains rate.
Recapture will never sink a good deal but can absolutely kick you when you are down
I make every effort to talk to clients about this to prevent any surprises.
Let me go over the details.
06/26/2025
What about touring a property?
PHYSICAL VS. VIRTUAL
Not all cost seg firms offer (or encourage) on-site analysis, which may be best some assets.
While on-site is not a requirement...consider the risk/reward. Are there partners to protect?
Is the property technical (multi-tenant/manufacturing/etc.)?
How much experience does the person have that is driving the remote call?
Either way, I would encourage everyone to work with experienced firms that can provide references and sample reports.
The land itself? No depreciation there. But...
The assets under the ground? Yes!
Think underground storm drains, grease traps, road base, irrigation, and conduit.
These hidden gems can bring you valuable tax savings! And if you cannot see them how do you know they are there.
The answer is: Experience.
06/23/2025
The land itself? No depreciation there. But...
The assets under the ground? Yes!
Think underground storm drains, grease traps, road base, irrigation, and conduit.
These hidden gems can bring you valuable tax savings! And if you cannot see them how do you know they are there.
The answer is: Experience.
06/19/2025
Classifying assets can get tricky!
For example, electrical distribution may serve both personal property and structural components.
Millwork could be classified as 5-year for decorative purposes or 27.5-year for building protection.
Fire suppression over a hood can be accelerated but the same line over the kitchen area cannot.
It is all about knowing the details.