End-of-Year Tax Planning: How to Maximize Savings in Multifamily

What is Bonus Depreciation?

Bonus depreciation is a tax incentive that allows you to deduct the entire cost of certain property improvements in the year you make them, rather than spreading the cost over several years. This is particularly relevant for improvements with a useful life of 20 years or less. For 2023, you can deduct up to 80% of these costs immediately, but in 2024, this will decrease to 60%. This makes it a prime time to invest before the year ends to take advantage of the higher deduction rate. 

Example of Bonus Depreciation in Multifamily Investments

Consider a scenario where you're part of a multifamily syndication. If the sponsor purchases a $1 million investment property, and then implements what is called a “cost segregation study” which identifies $300,000 worth of components eligible for accelerated depreciation, then these benefits are shared with you. In this example, if you've invested $100,000, representing 10% of the total investment, you would be entitled to a proportionate share of the depreciation deductions. With the 80% bonus depreciation, this could be a deduction of up to $240,000 in the first year. Your share of this deduction would then be up to $24,000 (10% of $240,000), which could be used to offset your portion of the property's income for tax purposes. The actual amounts vary from one investor to another depending on your personal tax situation, but what is undeniable, it that having this unique tax advantage is a powerful tool real estate investors can incorporate into their overall tax strategies. 

Interpreting Your Loses: A Quick Guide for K1s

In a syndication, losses, such as depreciation deductions, are shared among investors in proportion to their investment. Each investor's share of the income and deductions is reported on a K-1 form, which is crucial for understanding your tax obligations and planning your investment strategy. Given that, here is a quick reference guide from Precision Business Strategies to help you understand your previous K1s, and determine what steps you’d like to take now to see a K1 next year that aligns with your overall tax strategy:

Key Sections of Your K-1:

• Entity Information:
  • This section provides details about the partnership, including its name, Employer Identification Number (EIN), and your percentage of ownership in the investment.
  • Look for Box 2 - Net Rental Real Estate Income (Loss). This represents your share of the partnership's income or losses from its real estate activities.Income and Losses:
  • Look for Box 5 - Interest Income. This represents your share of the partnership's interest income earnings.
    
    
• Distributions:
  • Look for Box 19 - Distributions. This represents the total amount of cash that was disbursed to you throughout the year.
    
    
• Capital Account:
  • The Capital Account section (usually towards the end of the K-1) reflects your share of the partnership's equity. It tracks your initial investment, your share of profits, and any withdrawals or contributions you've made during the year. It's essential for understanding your ownership stake in the partnership.
    
    
• Other Deductions:
  • Box 13 - Other Deductions may include expenses allocated to you, such as or mortgage interest.
    
    
• Other Information:
  • Check Box 20 - Code Z for additional information or special allocations.

Understanding the Capital Account

The Capital Account reflects your economic interest in the partnership. It's similar to a personal bank account within the partnership, tracking your contributions and share of profits or losses.

Changes to your Capital Account may occur due to various partnership activities, such as income, expenses, distributions, or contributions.

Why Act Now?

As 2023 comes to an end, this represents a pivotal opportunity for maximizing your tax savings through bonus depreciation. With the rate dropping next year, taking action now can significantly lower your taxable income for this year. Whether you join us in our Blue Lake Multifamily Fund, or identify other investments, not leaving “money on the table” is a year-end tax strategy to consider. 

Key Takeaways:

1. Stay Informed About Tax Laws: Keep up-to-date with real estate investment tax changes.

2. Understand Your K-1 Form: Ensure you comprehend the tax implications outlined in your K-1 form.

3. Utilize Current Tax Benefits: Make the most of the current 80% bonus depreciation rate before it reduces.

4. Consult with Your Tax Advisor: Discuss with your tax advisor how the change in bonus depreciation rates will affect you and plan accordingly.

Final Thoughts 

The transition into 2024 brings notable changes in tax benefits for real estate investors. Understanding your K-1 form and leveraging it for informed investment decisions is crucial. Now is the time to consult with your tax advisor to capitalize on the current favorable tax treatment and prepare for future investment strategies. This proactive approach is key to maintaining profitable investments in the changing tax landscape.

As always, Be Bold, Be great, and Keep Pushing Forward!  

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About Ellie Perlman

Ellie Perlman is the founder and CEO of Blue Lake Capital, a woman owned multifamily real estate investment firm focused on partnering with family offices and accredited investors to build and preserve generational wealth. Since its founding in 2017, Blue Lake has successfully acquired and operated multifamily assets across high-growth U.S. markets, completing $1B+ in transactions.

At Blue Lake Capital, Ellie and her team work exclusively with family offices and accredited investors, offering carefully curated investment opportunities that emphasize long-term wealth creation, stability, and risk-adjusted returns. A defining aspect of Blue Lake’s investment strategy is its integration of advanced AI-driven analytics and data science into the entire lifecycle of acquisitions and asset management. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, the firm executes data-driven forecasting on market trends, asset performance, and tenant behavior, ensuring strategic decision-making and optimized returns.

In addition to leading Blue Lake Capital, Ellie is the original founder and host of "REady2Scale - Real Estate Investing" podcast, which provides insights into multifamily real estate, alternative investments, and finance.

Ellie began her career as a commercial real estate attorney, structuring and negotiating complex transactions for one of Israel’s leading development firms. She later transitioned into property management, overseeing over $100M in assets for Israel’s largest energy company.

Ellie holds a Master’s in Law from Bar-Ilan University in Israel and an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management.

You can learn more about Blue Lake Capital and Ellie Perlman at www.bluelake-capital.com. 

*The content provided on this website, including all downloadable resources, is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial advice. Furthermore, this material does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities.