Spending heavily on a down payment and renovations solely for a tax deduction can be a net loss. The host debunks an online claim by calculating that spending $132,000 to save $23,000 in taxes is not a sound short-term financial decision. The tax savings must outweigh the expenses.
To maximize bonus depreciation on a new rental property, all qualifying assets like furniture, appliances, and renovations must be placed in service in the same tax year as the purchase. Delaying these upgrades pushes potential deductions to the following year, diminishing the immediate cash flow benefit.
Bonus depreciation is a powerful tool for accelerating tax deductions, not eliminating asset costs. It allows a business to write off the full cost of an asset upfront, improving immediate cash flow that can be reinvested. However, the initial capital expenditure is still very real; it is not a form of 'free' money.
Residential buildings don't qualify for bonus depreciation due to a 27.5-year depreciation schedule. A cost segregation study reclassifies building components (e.g., HVAC, flooring) into shorter-lived assets. This specialized analysis makes those specific components eligible for the 100% upfront tax write-off.