Zhou Agency

09/08/2026

This past weekend, our team stepped away from our desks for a company retreat at Starved Rock State Park in Illinois.

Two days of canyon hikes, a cabin stay, and a lot of quality time together — no agenda beyond reconnecting as a team. From navigating the trails at Wildcat Canyon to unwinding around the campfire in the evenings, it was a great reminder of why we invest in time together outside the office.

Work hard, stay humble — that's the culture we try to build every day, and this weekend was a great reminder of the people behind it. Already looking forward to the next team-building!

03/10/2026

High W-2 income and a huge tax bill every year?
Real estate investors often hear that bonus depreciation can eliminate taxes — but the truth is more complicated.

In our new guide, we explain:
- What real estate depreciation actually means
- How cost segregation can create large first-year tax deductions
- The new bonus depreciation rules heading into 2026
- Why most investors can’t use rental losses against W-2 income
- The two strategies that may allow it:

For high-income earners, understanding these rules could mean saving tens of thousands in taxes each year.

Read the full guide here:
https://www.zhouagency.com/blog/how-to-use-bonus-depreciation-to-offset-w-2-income-a-complete-guide-for-real-estate-investors

How real estate investors offset W-2 income with bonus depreciation. 2026 rules, cost segregation, REPS, and STR strategies explained by Zhou Agency.

03/09/2026

With the “Big Beautiful Bill” restoring 100% bonus depreciation, one key question is back on the table: How can you turn real estate deductions into meaningful tax savings?

If you’re a high-income earner or real estate investor exploring advanced tax planning, listening to our new podcast episode, this will help you evaluate whether bonus depreciation aligns with your situation before making your next move.

🎧Click here to listen:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7xCcVk9ifd75v9OgTTVi0Z?si=450NzWIeSPOzt0LYGKyl-w

🎥 Click here to watch:
https://youtu.be/DiIjq0hyAu4?si=v1U_RrK3FwSt0aeU

After the “Big Beautiful Bill” made 100% bonus depreciation permanent again, it has become one of the hottest topics in tax planning. But what does it actual...

02/21/2026

With tax filing season in full swing, we've been working closely with our real estate investor clients these past few weeks... and honestly, I keep seeing the same patterns over and over.

Here's what I've been noticing across our client base lately:
So many smart, successful real estate investors are making at least 3 of these 12 costly mistakes, which should be fixed as early as possible.

- Missing depreciation schedules
- Expensing major improvements instead of depreciating them
- Missed accelerated depreciation opportunity
- Missed “running the business” expense
- Missed Passive Losses carryover
- Inadequate Record Keeping
- Misunderstanding Passive vs. Active Income Buckets
- Failing to Leverage Debt Strategically
- Using Incorrect Entity Structures
- Ignoring the Short-Term Rental Tax Strategy
- Not Qualifying for Real Estate Professional Status (REPS)
- Mishandling 1031 Exchange Opportunities

Read the full guide here:
https://www.zhouagency.com/blog/12-costly-tax-pitfalls-real-estate-investors-must-avoid-in-2025

💬 Drop a comment: Which of these 12 resonates most with you? Let's discuss!

Working with a specialized real estate tax advisor or CPA for real estate investors can mean the difference between paying unnecessary taxes and implementing powerful tax saving strategies for real estate investors. At Zhou Agency, we've identified 12 critical tax mistakes that cost investors signif

01/26/2026

Real Estate Investors, Join Our Free Tax Webinar on Feb 5th!

Recent updates under the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) have created new tax-saving opportunities for real estate investors, including 100% Bonus Depreciation. But with these opportunities come important rules and compliance considerations. In this free live webinar, our team will walk through what these changes mean for real estate investors and how to apply them correctly to reduce taxes for your investment portfolios.

We’ll cover:
• Key OBBBA updates for Real Estate Investors
• How to use RE investment to offset active income?
• Real Estate compliance and record-keeping tips
• How to structure your real estate entities the right way?

📅 Feb 5th, Thursday
⏰ 2–3 PM CT
💻 Online | Free to attend

👉 Register to save your spot!
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/6617515985734/WN_62jJ1imKSrmAkTKAcB10hQ

Attendees can also schedule a free 15-minute consultation after the session.

11/13/2025

We’re proud to share that our team volunteered with Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago last week!

As part of the Loaves and Fishes sack lunch initiative, we came together to prepare 195 lunches for individuals and families experiencing food insecurity. It was a day filled with teamwork, laughter, and purpose — and we’re so thankful for the opportunity to give back to our Chicago community.

A big thank you to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago for hosting us and for all the amazing work they do every day!

09/11/2025

Are you tired of juggling rental property headaches—or even managing the managers you hired to avoid them? A 1031 exchange into a Triple Net (NNN) commercial property might be the answer.

With a Triple Net lease, tenants pay not only rent but also property taxes, insurance, and maintenance. For investors, that means steady income with virtually no day-to-day management.

This time, we'll be joined by Isaiah Harf, a leading commercial real estate expert who has closed more than $3 billion in transactions and was inducted into the 2023 Midwest Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame.

Together, we’ll break down the essentials of Triple Net investing and what you need to know before diving in.

📍 Episode 3:
"Free Yourself From Property Management – Let Triple Net Investments Work for You"

🎧Listen now on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/61lFO2aXELjd2eW08iriFj?si=wICtjiB9SZaSISu9IFK_NA&nd=1&dlsi=89db32030b7147ed

Zhou Agency · Episode

08/08/2025

This week, we had the privilege of volunteering with the Shared Table project from Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Together, we served a hot, nutritious meal to over 145 guests. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve others, especially those who are most in need. This experience brought us joy and a sense of purpose, and we look forward to participating in more service opportunities with Catholic Charities in the future.

07/17/2025

On July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was signed into law, ushering in one of the most significant tax overhauls in recent history. This sweeping legislation introduces major changes to the tax code that will impact how individuals and businesses file their taxes starting in 2025 and beyond.

To help you navigate these updates with clarity, we hosted a special webinar featuring our CEO, Justine Zhou, and Tax Manager, Frank Liu. They break down the key changes, explain what they mean in simple terms, and share practical steps to help you stay prepared.

🎥 Watch the full recording here:

On July 4, 2025, the sweeping One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was signed into law, marking one of the most significant tax overhauls in recent years. This...

07/10/2025

Big news! The Zhou Agency Podcast is officially live on Spotify!

Hosted by our Founder & CEO, Justine Zhou, this podcast dives into the latest in tax strategy, real estate investment, and smart financial planning. Each episode features expert guests or solo insights to help you stay informed and ahead.

📍 Episode 1:
"Is Real Estate Still a Good Investment in a High-Interest-Rate Environment?"

Featuring Real Estate Investment Advisor Sushil Hani, we break down today’s market and what it means for investors.

🎧Listen now on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2PBCftqDcHFO8vEaiQFSgW?si=vak7futhRn2HNjETHRdJaQ&nd=1&dlsi=5595b0f33bd64d29

Zhou Agency · Episode