Frequently Asked Questions
Browse answers about cost segregation, real estate tax strategies, and depreciation.
Find what you need, fast.
Yes. R.E. Cost Seg has a BBB Business Profile, where customers can view our current business information and any ratings or customer feedback published by the Better Business Bureau.
We value transparency and encourage customers to visit our BBB profile when evaluating R.E. Cost Seg. Please note that having a BBB Business Profile does not by itself mean that a business is BBB accredited or endorsed by the BBB; customers should refer to the profile for our current status.
Often, yes. A look-back study can capture missed depreciation in the current tax year without amending prior returns.
Cost segregation sits at the intersection of engineering and tax, so many generalist accountants don't raise it proactively. That's not a knock on your CPA, most are glad to have a specialist handle the study while they handle the return.
The property address, purchase price, closing date, and any major improvements since purchase. That's enough for a solid estimate.
Yes. There's no cost and no obligation. If a study doesn't make financial sense for you, we'll say so.
You'll speak with an R.E. Cost Seg specialist who works on cost segregation studies every day. We're not your tax preparer and we don't replace your CPA. We produce the engineering-based study your CPA uses to file. You're welcome to bring your CPA onto the call.
Cost segregation studies are performed by specialized firms with engineering and tax expertise, not by typical CPAs. The IRS Audit Techniques Guide calls for engineering-based methodology, so a credible provider employs qualified engineers who inspect the property, classify assets, and produce audit-defensible documentation. Your CPA then uses the finished report to file the deductions. R.E. Cost Seg performs fully engineered studies for investors in all 50 states.
In real estate, a cost segregation study is an engineering-based analysis that separates a building into its individual components — flooring, cabinetry, electrical, plumbing, parking, landscaping — and assigns each to the shortest IRS-allowed depreciation life (5, 7, or 15 years) instead of the default 27.5 or 39 years. Real estate investors use it to accelerate depreciation deductions and reduce taxable income in the early years of ownership.