I'm Brenten. I walk you through how it works, our engineers do the study, and your CPA stays at the table. My estimates use conservative assumptions on purpose, and final results come from the engineering analysis.
I'm Brenten. Without a study, this rental's $725K of depreciable basis (land excluded) is written off as one building, evenly over 27.5 years. That's about $26K a year.
On this home, the engineers classified the cabinets, appliances, laminate flooring, fireplace and patio canopy as 5-year personal property. That came to $91,247.
Those are land improvements with a 15-year life: $109,545 here. Both the 5 and 15-year buckets qualify for bonus depreciation.
They're still 27.5-year property. A good study is honest about what moves and what doesn't, and that's what keeps it audit-ready.
With 100% bonus depreciation on the 5 and 15-year property, this owner could claim about $193K more depreciation in the first year. Depreciation is a deduction, not a dollar-for-dollar cut to your tax bill, so we work out how much you can use with your CPA.
See what your property could findIllustrative example based on a completed study of a single-family rental with a pool. Assumes a full first year and 100% bonus depreciation. Results vary by property.
Our engineers break your building into its components and move qualifying parts to 5, 7 and 15-year lives, often with bonus depreciation on top. Fully engineered, following the IRS Cost Segregation Audit Techniques Guide, backed with audit protection, for one flat fee.
Bought years ago? Catch up missed depreciation on this year's return with Form 3115.
Learn more100% bonus isn't automatic. It depends on when you acquired the property, so I confirm that first.
Learn moreReplaced a roof, HVAC or interiors? Write off what came out, plus removal costs, in the year of the renovation.
Ask about a renovationRepair or improvement? These rules decide what you expense now. I help you and your CPA catch missed deductions.
Ask a questionDrywall tape that makes partition systems (non load bearing drywall) movable and removable, making them bonus eligible 5-year property.
See if it fitsHave a client with real estate? I run the estimate and keep you in the loop. You keep the client.
Refer a clientAny asset class, anywhere in the U.S. Anonymized examples from completed studies, assuming 100% bonus and a full first year. Depreciation is a deduction, not a dollar-for-dollar tax cut; your CPA works out how much you can use.
+$178,699 more first-year depreciation
+$1,658,022 more first-year depreciation
+$496,320 more first-year depreciation
+$193,491 more first-year depreciation
+$3,707,249 more first-year depreciation
+$252,650 more first-year depreciation
+$363,622 more first-year depreciation
+$1,066,032 more first-year depreciation
+$945,580 more first-year depreciation
+$755,133 more first-year depreciation
"We have confidently referred multiple engagements to him, knowing that he will provide quality work and excellent service. He is responsive, professional, and takes the time to ensure clients understand the process from start to finish."
"Brenten doesn't replace your CPA or financial advisor, he works hand in hand with them to make sure you are implementing strategies that ultimately lower your tax bill and free up more money to invest."
"He knows this area cold, turns it around quick, and is genuinely easy to deal with. If you own real estate and aren't doing cost seg studies, talk to Brenten."
"Brenten is incredibly professional, thorough, and helped us maximize our tax savings on our investment properties."
"We engage him as early in the acquisition process as we can so our clients have an early understanding of their potential tax implications and savings. Great communicator, you are never wondering where you are at in the process."
"Working with Brenten was efficient and easy. He was responsive and thorough."
I spent the start of my career in finance and gift and estate tax work, then commercial real estate. Now I'm an independent cost segregation strategist in Scottsdale, working with owners nationwide. I partner with established engineering firms and match each property to the one that fits it best. I'm not an accountant, so I always bring your CPA to the table.
General information, not tax advice. Your CPA makes the final call, and I'm glad to get on the phone with them.
Ask me something elseAn engineering-based analysis that splits a building into its parts. Items like flooring, cabinetry, specialty electrical, parking lots and landscaping can often be depreciated over 5, 7 or 15 years instead of 27.5 or 39, which moves deductions into the early years of ownership.
The engineering team at the firm handling your study does the analysis and signs off on it. I gather your documents, keep things moving and walk you and your CPA through the results. One flat fee covers the site visit, travel and conversations with your CPA about putting the study to use. Studies are backed with audit protection: if the IRS questions the study, the firm provides advisory support at no extra charge. The exact terms are in your engagement letter.
It depends on your building's basis, your tax situation and how long you plan to hold. The free estimate is how we find out. Not all income can be offset by this, and I'd rather you find that out before you pay for a study, not after.
My estimates use conservative assumptions on purpose. Final results come from the engineering analysis, not the estimate. If another firm's estimate is much higher, ask what assumptions are behind it. I'm happy to walk you through mine. Any firm performing an engineering-based study per the guidelines of the IRS Audit Technique Guide and backing it with audit protection will produce the same results.
Yes, with the passing of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, for qualifying property acquired and placed in service after January 19, 2025. Property acquired on or before that date falls under the phase-down from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: 40% if placed in service in 2025 and 20% in 2026. Your acquisition date matters, so I confirm it before I estimate anything. I'll tell you what the law says, even when it's not what you hoped to hear.
Every situation is different (see Will a study make sense for my property?). A look-back study lets you catch up the depreciation you missed by filing Form 3115, the change in accounting method form, with this year's return. You generally cannot amend a prior return for cost segregation, but you can always change depreciation methods on your current tax return.
Any depreciation you accelerated is generally recaptured when you sell. The components a study reclassifies are taxed as ordinary income, while the building's straight-line depreciation is capped at 25%. Cost seg still tends to win on the time value of money, and a 1031 exchange or holding long term can change the math. I'll walk through recapture honestly, with your CPA, before you commit.
No calculators. A real estimate from a real person. Start with a few details about your property. I'll review them and let you know which documents I need to prepare your estimate.