Friday 28 November 2014

Knowing All About Cost Segregation

By Christa Jarvis


When it comes to taxation, there are a lot of rules and regulation under the law that one would have to follow. Of course this does not mean that there are no loopholes that one can make use of in order to lessen taxes under the law legally. If one is an owner of a building, there is one concept known as cost segregation that he can use in order to significantly lessen taxes.

Now in a nutshell, it is the process of segregating personal property assets that are considered real property assets from personal assets. This is a requirement that is done for tax reporting purposes. This is usually done by expert taxation accountants who are good in handling property assets.

Now many people would ask what exactly will a taxation expert do in order to handle the process. Now basically, the main purpose of this practice is to make sure that the depreciation of the property is accelerated. This can actually decrease the amount of tax that needs to be paid.

Now when one would talk about personal property assets, this would include the land improvements, construction costs, and the building itself. Of course the experts would have to identify the costs that have to do with construction. From there, these items can actually be depreciated in the books for tax purposes.

Now some of the costs that can be depreciated would actually be the building costs which can be depreciated over either a 27.5 year or 39 year period. There are other costs that can also be depreciated like utilities costs which can be depreciated to seven or even up to fifteen years. Of course the expert will be able to find more costs that may fit the category but these are the ones that are usually handled.

Now in order to know about these costs, the expert would first have to work together with the engineer. Now it is crucial that he would go over the blueprints so that he will know some of the things that can be taken care of. Once he has done this, then he can already have a clear idea of the things that he would have to do.

Now it is crucial that he study the details and the components of the building. Of course this would include the walls, the flooring, the ceiling, and all of the additions that were made to be a part of this building. Now another thing that he would have to do would be to handle all the utilities.

From there, the expert can create an analysis wherein he can do the segregation and put that in the reports of the building owner. Of course with that, the taxes will significantly lessen due to the accelerated depreciation of the costs. Another great benefit that one would be able to derive from this is that he will then be able to see more opportunities that will allow him to be able to lessen his real estate liabilities for tax saving opportunities for lesser taxes.




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