amanda_han_cpa

amanda_han_cpa Tax Strategist for RE Investors💵 BiggerPockets Author 📚 Wife/Mom 💕 keystonecpa.com/amanda-han

One of the most powerful tax-saving strategies for real estate investors is qualifying as a Real Estate Professional. Wh...
10/01/2025

One of the most powerful tax-saving strategies for real estate investors is qualifying as a Real Estate Professional. Why? Because it allows certain rental losses to offset other types of income, which may dramatically lower your taxable income.

The key hurdle is the 750-hour requirement. The IRS wants to make sure you’re materially participating in real estate... not just investing passively. But here’s what most people miss: not all activities count toward those hours.

Direct, hands-on work like property management, tenant communication, supervising contractors, and keeping records will usually qualify. Activities where you’re more of an investor, like reading market reports or reviewing financials, will not.

Documentation is everything. If you can’t show a consistent log of your time, it’s much harder to defend your REP status during an IRS audit.

If you’re serious about unlocking this strategy, be intentional about your hours and track them well.

👉 Comment PLAYBOOK to download my Tax Strategy Playbook and learn how to maximize the Real Estate Professional rules for your portfolio.

One of the biggest mistakes I see is when investors assume all income is taxed the same way. In reality, how your income...
09/30/2025

One of the biggest mistakes I see is when investors assume all income is taxed the same way. In reality, how your income is classified makes a huge difference in your long-term wealth.

Active income is great for getting started, but it usually comes with the heaviest tax burden. This is why high earners often feel like they’re working harder but keeping less.

Passive income, on the other hand, gives you tools that wages don’t... like depreciation, the ability to offset income with expenses, and in some cases even special tax credits. When structured properly, passive income can grow quietly in the background while lowering your overall tax liability.

The real power comes when you use both: active income to fuel your growth, and passive income (with tax planning layered in) to build lasting wealth that works for you.

👉 Comment PLAYBOOK to download my Tax Strategy Playbook and learn how to use the tax code to your advantage.

Most investors forget that the IRS won’t subsidize a vacation... but it will allow tax deductions for a trip that’s prim...
09/29/2025

Most investors forget that the IRS won’t subsidize a vacation... but it will allow tax deductions for a trip that’s primarily for business.

This doesn’t mean you can just sprinkle in a “meeting” on your beach getaway. You’ll want to:
âś… Have a clear business purpose (conference, property tour, meeting with partners).
âś… Document everything (save emails, tickets, schedules).
âś… Track your time. Majority of days should be business-related.

The best part? You can often extend your trip by adding personal days before or after the business portion. As long as the majority of the trip is business-focused, much of the travel costs can still qualify.

It’s all about intention + documentation. That way, you don’t just create memories... you also create tax savings.

👉 Comment TOOLKIT to grab my free investor toolkit and learn more ways to save on taxes while building wealth.

Most people think generational wealth is only for the ultra-rich. The truth? Everyday investors can use the same strateg...
09/26/2025

Most people think generational wealth is only for the ultra-rich. The truth? Everyday investors can use the same strategies... without a private jet or millions in the bank.

Here’s how it works:
âś… Invest in assets that grow over time (like real estate or stocks).
âś… Use equity strategically, borrowing instead of selling to avoid unnecessary taxes.
âś… Plan ahead so your heirs benefit from the step-up in basis (instead of inheriting a huge tax bill).

It’s not flashy, but it’s powerful. With the right moves, you can set your family up for long-term, tax-efficient wealth.

One of the biggest mistakes I see investors make is mixing active and rental income under the same company. It might fee...
09/25/2025

One of the biggest mistakes I see investors make is mixing active and rental income under the same company. It might feel “easier” in the short run, but the long-term consequences can be expensive: higher taxes, lost deductions, and weaker asset protection.

Here’s the general framework I recommend:
👉 S-Corp for flips, commissions, property management, or consulting income (to help reduce self-employment taxes).
👉 LLCs for rentals (to protect your properties and preserve valuable tax benefits like depreciation).

The key? Don’t let your entities own each other. YOU should own them separately. That way, if something happens in your active business, your rentals are shielded.

A little bit of planning now with your favorite CPA could save you thousands and protect your portfolio for years to come.

One of the biggest misconceptions about taxes is that a big refund is “free money.” In reality, it usually means you’ve ...
09/24/2025

One of the biggest misconceptions about taxes is that a big refund is “free money.” In reality, it usually means you’ve been overpaying the government all year long.

With the new tax law changes in 2025, like the expanded Child Tax Credit, additional deductions for retirement contributions, and even up to $10K in deductible interest for certain new car loans, you may be eligible to adjust your paycheck withholdings.

That means instead of waiting until April to see your money again, you could start taking home more each month.

The key is balance: adjusting your withholdings just enough to reflect your eligible credits or deductions without setting yourself up for a surprise tax bill. This is where planning with your CPA makes all the difference.

Bottom line: don’t let your money sit with the IRS when it could be working for you right now.

If you earn enough to be in the top 1%, here’s what your tax bill could look like before any planning:California ($1M in...
09/23/2025

If you earn enough to be in the top 1%, here’s what your tax bill could look like before any planning:

California ($1M income): ~$370K+ in taxes

Texas ($762K income): ~$240K+ in taxes (federal only)

New York ($966K income): ~$360K+ in taxes

Florida ($852K income): ~$270K+ in taxes (federal only)

Connecticut ($1.2M income): ~$460K+ in taxes

💸 That’s hundreds of thousands straight to the IRS every single year...if you don’t have a plan.

The good news? With the right strategies, high-income earners can dramatically reduce (or even eliminate) their tax bill. Strategies like:
âś… Bonus depreciation and cost segregation studies
âś… Leveraging short-term rental rules
âś… Shifting income through your business and family
âś… Maximizing deductions for business, travel, and retirement planning

This is why I always say: it’s not about how much you make, it’s about how much you keep.

Want to see the tax changes coming in 2025 and the strategies my clients use to save thousands? Comment PLAYBOOK and I’ll send you my guide.

Just formed an LLC for your real estate investing? One of the biggest perks is being able to take advantage of tax deduc...
09/23/2025

Just formed an LLC for your real estate investing? One of the biggest perks is being able to take advantage of tax deductions, but most new investors miss a ton of them.

Here’s the good news: you don’t need to spend hours digging through IRS codes to figure it out. As long as an expense is ordinary and necessary for your real estate business, chances are it’s deductible.

That could mean reimbursing yourself for startup costs, writing off property expenses (don’t forget insurance), or even deducting part of your car and home office.

The key is setting yourself up the right way: keep things separate with a dedicated LLC bank account and credit card. It makes bookkeeping easier, and it shows the IRS you’re running a real business.

Bottom line: track everything, stay organized, and don’t leave money on the table.

Most parents are surprised to learn they can legally hire their kids in their real estate or business... and save thousa...
09/22/2025

Most parents are surprised to learn they can legally hire their kids in their real estate or business... and save thousands in taxes each year.

Here’s how it works:

👉You can pay your child a reasonable wage for age-appropriate tasks.
👉They can earn up to the standard deduction (~$15K in 2025) tax-free.
👉You get a business deduction, while they build work experience and even start saving for college or a Roth IRA.

The key is documentation: treat them the same way you’d treat any other employee. Have a job description, track hours, and pay them through their own account.

Not only does this lower your family’s overall tax bill, it also teaches your kids valuable lessons about money and responsibility. That’s a win-win. 🙌

Most people think “retiring your spouse” means less income... but for real estate investors, it can actually mean more.I...
09/19/2025

Most people think “retiring your spouse” means less income... but for real estate investors, it can actually mean more.

If one spouse qualifies as a Real Estate Professional, real estate losses (like from depreciation, repairs, and write-offs) can offset W-2 or other active income. This can dramatically reduce your overall tax bill.

The best part? You’re not just saving on taxes, you’re creating more cash flow to reinvest into properties and grow your portfolio.

This strategy isn’t right for every family, but for the right situation, it can be a game-changer. Always check with your CPA to see if you qualify and how it can work for you.

Most people think W-2 income and tax breaks don’t mix… but that’s not true. The IRS has a rule that lets you take losses...
09/18/2025

Most people think W-2 income and tax breaks don’t mix… but that’s not true. The IRS has a rule that lets you take losses from real estate and apply them against your job income if you meet the right conditions.

This is one of the few strategies that works even if you’re not a full-time investor. That’s why so many high-income earners look at short-term rentals as their “gateway” into tax savings.

👉 Comment “Toolkit” and I’ll send you my free guide with strategies like this that W-2 earners are using right now.

One of the most expensive mistakes I see families make is transferring their home to their kids while they’re still aliv...
09/17/2025

One of the most expensive mistakes I see families make is transferring their home to their kids while they’re still alive.

It feels like the right thing to do, but it often leaves children with a massive tax bill when they eventually sell. A living trust, on the other hand, can protect the property, preserve wealth, and dramatically cut down on capital gains taxes for the next generation.

If you’re serious about building and passing on wealth, you need the right plan in place. Comment TOOLKIT and I’ll send you our free guide with strategies that keep more money in your family’s pocket.

Address

Fullerton, CA

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+17144853380

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