By Patrick O’Connor, MAI
Commercial property owners typically use tax preparation specialists such as tax lawyers, CPAs and accountants. They reasonably assume these experts will maximize their tax deductions to minimize federal income taxes. However, the complexity of the IRS tax code for federal income taxes makes it virtually impossible for any person to have a depth of knowledge for all industries.
Tax reduction should involve a team with specialized knowledge for the taxpayer and subject industry. Most tax preparation teams will include an accountant and/or CPA and/or tax attorney. Commercial real estate owners who do not include a cost segregation specialist on the tax preparation team will likely pay excess federal income taxes.
While most accountants are familiar with the approach, some are hesitant to recommend it without a documented analysis of correct depreciation amounts. The numerous intricacies of IRS designated building components make it difficult for most accounting professionals to be cognizant of all applicable items on a specific property. CPAs recognize that in order for the client to fully benefit, it is usually necessary to seek a real estate specialist to provide an independent report documenting the owner’s depreciation schedule.
Although it is vastly under-utilized, cost segregation is not a tax shelter or form of tax evasion. In fact, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ National Journal of Accountancy has published numerous articles in support of cost segregation.
Cost segregation identifies applicable components and establishes the value and correct timeline for depreciation. Under typical circumstances, depreciation is spread out over as long as 39 years. However, cost segregation applies depreciation to parts of the property in 5-, 7- and 15-year increments. This acceleration in depreciation time reduces the income subject to federal income taxes. This method does not dictate alternative minimum tax issues.
Professionals Prepare Detailed Reports
To perform a cost segregation analysis, the building’s cost basis for construction, renovation and repairs is reviewed. A technician goes on site to take detailed measurements and observe the quality and condition of the property. After the site visit, he or she calculates the value of a variety of components using widely accepted pricing resources and local economic conditions.
A cost segregation study produces a professional document that is backed by careful research. The results are summarized in a detailed report, documenting the amount of 5-,7- and 15-year property that qualifies for short-life depreciation.
Real estate appraisers and engineering firms who specialize have the knowledge to perform the detailed cost segregation studies, frequently at the recommendation of the owner’s tax preparer. The tax preparation expert should be involved before, during and after the cost segregation report is prepared to maximize federal income tax deductions. Preparing the study requires expertise in evaluating real estate and complete command of the regulations that detail these depreciation options. Internal Revenue Code regulations outline approximately 130 categories of property which qualify for shorter lives.
Cost segregation regulations are a specialized area of knowledge not familiar to most tax preparation experts. The 5-year property includes items such as carpet and vinyl flooring. Seven-year property may reflect unexpensed office furnishings or cluster mailboxes. Fifteen-year property encompasses paving and landscaping.
Many CPAs Recommend Cost Segregation
Most property owners instinctively believe their CPAs are performing cost segregation for them, but research has suggested that this tool is used only 5% – 10% of the time. CPAs, tax lawyers and other tax preparers may not routinely perform the study because it involves real estate appraisal methodology and specialized knowledge outside the scope of a typical tax practice. Even though cost segregation may be unfamiliar territory to some accounting professionals, it is highly praised by many accountants.
“Cost segregation is a powerful and necessary part of accurately calculating depreciation for real property,” comments CPA Bill Bandy of Blakely and Bandy, a Houston-based accounting firm. “A properly prepared study is invaluable to me as a CPA because it provides reliable support for preparing the depreciation schedule and reducing my client’s taxes.” Recent changes in tax regulations make cost segregation more attractive and allow it to be implemented years after the completion of a real estate purchase. Commercial real estate owners can generate meaningful federal income tax reduction by using catch-up depreciation for buildings acquired or built after 1986. This amplifies the level of tax deductions, affecting a large tax cut.
How Does It Work?
Historically, most depreciation schedules are split between land and long-life property. Long-life property depreciates over 27.5 years for apartments and 39 years for most commercial properties. A cost segregation study can typically allocate 20% to 40% of the improvement basis to short-life categories.
High-income owners typically pay a 35% federal income tax rate on ordinary income and a 15% rate on capital gains. The mechanics of reporting the gain on a sale usually allocates most of the income to capital gains, which is taxed at 15%. By increasing tax deductions (depreciation), the commercial real estate owner pays the capital gains tax rate (15% maximum) for most income and also defers payment of federal income taxes.
A cost segregation study reduces the amount of long-life property, which is recaptured at 25% by allocating more of the basis to the 5-,7- and 15-year property. If cost segregation is utilized from inception until a gain on the property is recognized, it can reduce the federal tax rate from 35% to 15% for most investors. The exceptions are C corporations, which pay the same tax rate for either ordinary income or capital gains.
How Much Can It Save?
The annual tax savings through cost segregation can be significant. The following table summarizes actual first-year tax savings generated in cost segregation reports prepared by O’Connor & Associates, a national real estate consulting firm.
| Property Type | Range on Year 1 Tax Savings (100,000-500,000 sq. ft. property size) |
| Office Apartment Retail Industrial |
$35,500 – $160,000 |
A recent client of the firm realized a payback ratio for the first year savings at 4:1 and the payback ratio for the first five years at 20:1.
Who Prepares Cost Segregation Studies Today?
Appraisal and engineering firms, Big Four firms and spin-offs of Big Four firms are the primary providers of cost segregation studies. Some accounting firms and tax lawyers offer the service but frequently outsource the actual report preparation to an appraisal or engineering firm. With the introduction of new providers, the price gap has widened between lower cost analytical studies and higher rates charged by larger firms.
Do All Properties Benefit From Cost Segregation?
Cost segregation is typically effective and financially feasible for properties that have an improvement basis of $500,000 or higher.
and parking, generate great results.
Cost segregation can be performed for properties anywhere in the United States. It is effective for apartments, office, retail, industrial, self-storage and many special use properties.
“Clients expect us to seek out and utilize tools which will minimize their federal taxes,” says CPA Sheldon J. Donner of Donner Weiser & Associates, P.C., an Atlanta-based CPA and consulting firm. “Cost segregation is an appropriate, conservative and cost-effective tool to substantially reduce federal and state income taxes. Our clients have been extremely pleased with the results.”
When Should I Obtain A Cost Segregation Report?
“We routinely obtain a cost segregation study after purchasing an investment property,” said Jeff Harris, chief financial officer of Boxer Properties, a national property investment firm. It typically makes sense to obtain a cost segregation report the year a property is purchased or built. Property owners who purchased or constructed property after 1986,often can benefit substantially by recouping previously under-reported depreciation without filing amended tax returns.
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