BiggerPockets Real Estate Podcast

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How to (Legally) Pay the Least Amount in Taxes as a Real Estate Investor

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Feb 13, 2026

Guest

Amanda Hahn

Amanda Hahn, CPA and tax strategist who helps real estate investors keep more money, breaks down legal tax moves for property owners. She highlights missed deductions, using depreciation and cost segregation for big write-offs, travel and QBI rules, and simple bookkeeping and structuring tips. Short, practical takes on reducing taxable rental income and planning ahead for 2026.

36:23

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insights

INSIGHT

Taxes Can Dramatically Boost Returns

Real estate tax strategy can save investors hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars over time.
The One Big Beautiful Bill introduced major changes that materially affect investor tax planning.

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ADVICE

Capture Every Deductible Expense

Track all rental expenses beyond mortgage and property tax, including insurance, home office, conferences, and vehicle use.
Send receipts and records to your accountant so you don't leave deductions on the table.

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ADVICE

Deduct Real Estate Travel

Deduct travel when the primary purpose is related to real estate activities like conferences or property tours.
Keep documentation proving the trip's real estate purpose to substantiate the deduction.

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Amanda Hahn's background and focus

01:31 • 1min

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Real estate investing is a business

02:46 • 1min

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Common missed deductions investors overlook

04:15 • 1min

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Deducting travel for out-of-state investing

05:40 • 1min

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Maximizing depreciation and closing costs

06:54 • 1min

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How deductions affect cashflow and taxable rate

08:03 • 7min

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One Big Beautiful Bill: 100% bonus depreciation

15:10 • 1min

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When to use cost segregation

16:14 • 2min

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Using depreciation to offset gains

17:59 • 3min

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QBI deduction benefits for investors

21:00 • 2min

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Commonly missed QBI deductions

22:53 • 5min

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Bookkeeping systems to reduce stress

27:33 • 2min

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Proactive tax planning prevents surprises

29:24 • 2min

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Structuring new purchases tax-optimally

31:28 • 2min

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Checklist for every new property purchase

33:23 • 59sec

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Don't stop filing after buying rentals

34:23 • 35sec

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Amanda's current investing focus

34:57 • 4min

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Primary residence and house hacking tips

Tax Strategies Book Bundle

Matt MacFarland

Amanda Han

This book bundle likely includes key titles from the Tax Strategies series by CPAs Amanda Han and Matt MacFarland, such as 'The Book on Tax Strategies for the Savvy Real Estate Investor' and 'The Book on Advanced Tax Strategies: Cracking the Code for Savvy Real Estate Investors. ' These books teach real estate investors how to maximize deductions, use entity structuring, self-directed IRAs, and proactive tax planning to minimize taxes and retain more profits. Drawing from their experience at Keystone CPA and as investors themselves, the authors reveal U.S. tax system loopholes designed for real estate, helping investors from beginners to advanced levels supercharge their wealth.

This episode alone could save you hundreds, thousands, or tens of thousands in taxes—all with 100% legal means.

If you own a rental property, you could be paying significantly less in taxes. With the US tax code being favorable to real estate investors and renewed provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill, real estate investing is one of the most tax-advantaged investments on the planet. Today, we’re showing you how to pay the least amount of taxes, before tax day 2026!

Amanda Han, CPA and real estate investor, says 40% of the tax returns she reviews are not optimized for deductions. Investors are leaving thousands on the table and giving it straight to the IRS. But after this episode, you won’t have to anymore.

We’re talking about how real estate investors can reduce their taxable income by up to 20%—instantly. Plus, the one renewed tax deduction that creates six-figure write-offs for investors, and what you can start doing right now to lower your taxes as much as possible starting in 2026.

In This Episode We Cover

How to reduce your taxable rental income by 20% instantly (many investors miss this)

The biggest (six-figure) write-off that was renewed in the One Big Beautiful Bill

Commonly missed real estate tax deductions that every investor can write off

Are opportunity zones back? How to defer your capital gain to another year

What to start doing right now to have the most tax deductions with the least stress

If your CPA says this to you…consider finding a new one

And So Much More!

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