--- title: Boosting Your Basis To Boost Your After-Tax Cash Flow description: Buying and selling real estate should be a fairly simple process. You buy it, it (hopefully) appreciates in value, then you sell it. image: https://www.realized1031.com/hubfs/Images/photo/abstract/cash-and-calculator-optimized-is974052606.jpg --- [![Realized 1031 Exchange Marketplace](https://www.realized1031.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/Brand/Logo/Realized/Realized-Logo-Black.png?width=240&height=80&name=Realized-Logo-Black.png "Realized 1031 Logo") ](https://www.realized1031.com/) - [Wealth Management Gap](https://www.realized1031.com/the-wealth-management-gap) - [Our Process](https://www.realized1031.com/how-realized-works) - [Financial Advisors](https://www.realized1031.com/advisor) - [Resources](https://www.realized1031.com/resources) - [The Company](https://www.realized1031.com/about-us) - [Articles](https://www.realized1031.com/blog) [Register](https://www.realized1031.com/marketplace) [Log In](https://www.realized1031.com/login) - Better Business Bureau Rating: **A+** - [FINRA BrokerCheck](https://brokercheck.finra.org/firm/summary/22333) - [Call](tel:1-877-797-1031) **(877) 797-1031** # Boosting Your Basis To Boost Your After-Tax Cash Flow Posted Jul 2, 2019 ![cash-and-calculator-optimized-is974052606](https://www.realized1031.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/photo/abstract/cash-and-calculator-optimized-is974052606.jpg?width=650&name=cash-and-calculator-optimized-is974052606.jpg) Buying and selling real estate should be a fairly simple process. You buy it, it (hopefully) appreciates in value, then you sell it. However, there can be a capital gains tax attached to that profit, meaning your after-tax cash flow (ATCF) could take a hit. Clearly, you want your ATCF to be as high as possible after you sell an asset. Understanding concepts such as adjusted cost basis can help potentially boost that post-sale, post-tax cash flow.   ### The Basics of Basis “Basis” defines how much is invested in an asset, whether it be real estate or a stamp collection. Going a little further, initial cost basis is how much you, the investor, pay when you buy the asset. Perhaps, for example, you pay $100,000 for a single-family rental (SFR). Your initial cost basis is the $100,000, plus additional fees, such as closing costs, taxes, title insurance, brokerage fees or property survey charges. By the time you sell the asset, you want a higher adjusted cost basis. The higher your adjusted cost basis, the lower your capital gains tax will be. If the adjusted cost basis is less than the your asset’s sales price, you could find yourself paying a capital gains tax come April 15. The chart below provides some examples of increases and decreases to basis: | **INCREASES TO BASIS** | **DECREASES TO BASIS** | | --- | --- | | Capital Improvements - Adding to your property (i.e., a patio, in-ground pool, building an extra room) - Replacing an entire roof - Paving a driveway - Installing central air conditioning/heat - Rewiring the structure Local Improvement Assessments - Adding water connections - Extending utility lines to the property - Building sidewalks or roads on the property Casualty Losses - Restoring damaged properties Miscellaneous Fees & Zoning Costs - Defending/perfecting a title - Obtaining an assessment reduction | - Excluding from subsidy incomes for energy conservation measures - Deducting casualty or theft loss - Postponing a property sale gain - Obtaining alternative fuel vehicle property credit - Obtaining residential energy credit - Taking depreciation and/or section 170 deduction - Taking adoption tax benefits - Obtaining non-taxable corporate distributions | Let’s say that you add a suite of rooms on the SFR, above, for $50,000 to do so. Your cost adjusted basis is now $150,000. Keep in mind that simply painting the house (or washing the windows) won’t increase the adjusted cost basis. If, however, you install triple-pane windows, and replace the entire roof, the amount you invest will increase the property’s value to IRS, and could lead to a higher cost adjusted basis.   ### The Importance of Depreciation If you own investment property, a depreciation rate can be deducted from your investments taxable income each year. This number is typically a function of the investment’s original cost basis, and considers whether the property is for residential or commercial use. Whereas commercial properties are depreciated over a 39 year life, residential properties are depreciated over 27.5 years. Writing off this depreciable amount could mean lower taxes for that particular year.  There are a couple of caveats of depreciation to consider, however. For one thing, taking depreciation lowers your adjusted cost basis year after year, thus affecting the size of your capital gain liability when it comes time to sell. It is possible to not take depreciation, but one must weigh the benefits of writing off taxable income and paying a depreciation recapture on the back-end versus not writing off taxable income and not paying a depreciation recapture tax when the property is sold. Which leads me to my point. When your asset is sold, a “depreciation recapture” tax could be put on the proceeds; the recapture occurs when your asset’s sales price is greater than the adjusted cost basis. Basically, that recapture must be reported on your income tax return as, well, income, and will be taxed at a rate of 25% instead of the highest capital gains tax rate of 20%. The amount of the depreciation recapture will be based on how much depreciation you took on the sold asset.   ### More Ways to Mitigate Taxes Sell your property at a loss. No investor wants to sell something for less than what he or she paid for it. This would be known as a capital loss. There are, however, reasons why a property might sell for a loss, such as an economic downturn. If this happens, that capital loss can be carried forward and you could report it on future income tax statements, thus potentially reducing taxable income in those years. Invest in a 1031 Exchange or Delaware Statutory Trust. We’ve written about this extensively. By exchanging into another property, or investing in a DST, you could defer paying the capital gains tax, as well as depreciation recapture, from your asset’s sale.   ### The Adjusted Basis – A Potential Tool Calculating your adjusted cost basis, and understanding what that means, is important when it comes to determining your tax strategy. As with anything dealing with investments and tax implications, individual situations can vary. Before deciding to take a loss or gain, it’s recommended that you talk to your financial or tax professional.   *Realized Holdings specializes in tax strategy, and understands the importance of a property’s correct basis when it comes time to sell. Contact us today for information and tax implications of property basis.* Download The Capital Gains Tax Calculator [![Cap Gains Calculator For Investors](https://www.realized1031.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/UI/graphics/composites/laptop-capital-gains-calculator-spreadsheet.jpg?width=500&height=290&name=laptop-capital-gains-calculator-spreadsheet.jpg "Estimate the cap gains tax owed ...") ](https://www.realized1031.com/blog/boosting-your-basis-to-boost-your-after-tax-cash-flow#blogform) Download Calculator ---   --- ### Cap Gains Calculator For Investors ![Download The Capital Gains Tax Calculator](https://www.realized1031.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/UI/graphics/composites/laptop-capital-gains-calculator-spreadsheet.jpg?width=500&height=290&name=laptop-capital-gains-calculator-spreadsheet.jpg) Estimate the cap gains tax owed after selling an asset or property By providing your email and phone number, you are opting to receive communications from Realized. 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Understanding concepts such as adjusted cost basis can help potentially boost that post-sale, post-tax cash flow. The Basics of Basis “Basis” defines how much is invested in an asset, whether it be real estate or a stamp collection. Going a little further, initial cost basis is how much you, the investor, pay when you buy the asset. Perhaps, for example, you pay $100,000 for a single-family rental (SFR). Your initial cost basis is the $100,000, plus additional fees, such as closing costs, taxes, title insurance, brokerage fees or property survey charges. By the time you sell the asset, you want a higher adjusted cost basis. The higher your adjusted cost basis, the lower your capital gains tax will be. If the adjusted cost basis is less than the your asset’s sales price, you could find yourself paying a capital gains tax come April 15. The chart below provides some examples of increases and decreases to basis: INCREASES TO BASIS DECREASES TO BASIS Capital Improvements Adding to your property (i.e., a patio, in-ground pool, building an extra room) Replacing an entire roof Paving a driveway Installing central air conditioning/heat Rewiring the structure Local Improvement Assessments Adding water connections Extending utility lines to the property Building sidewalks or roads on the property Casualty Losses Restoring damaged properties Miscellaneous Fees & Zoning Costs Defending/perfecting a title Obtaining an assessment reduction Excluding from subsidy incomes for energy conservation measures Deducting casualty or theft loss Postponing a property sale gain Obtaining alternative fuel vehicle property credit Obtaining residential energy credit Taking depreciation and/or section 170 deduction Taking adoption tax benefits Obtaining non-taxable corporate distributions Let’s say that you add a suite of rooms on the SFR, above, for $50,000 to do so. Your cost adjusted basis is now $150,000. Keep in mind that simply painting the house (or washing the windows) won’t increase the adjusted cost basis. If, however, you install triple-pane windows, and replace the entire roof, the amount you invest will increase the property’s value to IRS, and could lead to a higher cost adjusted basis. The Importance of Depreciation If you own investment property, a depreciation rate can be deducted from your investments taxable income each year. This number is typically a function of the investment’s original cost basis, and considers whether the property is for residential or commercial use. Whereas commercial properties are depreciated over a 39 year life, residential properties are depreciated over 27.5 years. Writing off this depreciable amount could mean lower taxes for that particular year. There are a couple of caveats of depreciation to consider, however. For one thing, taking depreciation lowers your adjusted cost basis year after year, thus affecting the size of your capital gain liability when it comes time to sell. It is possible to not take depreciation, but one must weigh the benefits of writing off taxable income and paying a depreciation recapture on the back-end versus not writing off taxable income and not paying a depreciation recapture tax when the property is sold. Which leads me to my point. When your asset is sold, a “depreciation recapture” tax could be put on the proceeds; the recapture occurs when your asset’s sales price is greater than the adjusted cost basis. Basically, that recapture must be reported on your income tax return as, well, income, and will be taxed at a rate of 25% instead of the highest capital gains tax rate of 20%. The amount of the depreciation recapture will be based on how much depreciation you took on the sold asset. More Ways to Mitigate Taxes Sell your property at a loss. No investor wants to sell something for less than what he or she paid for it. This would be known as a capital loss. There are, however, reasons why a property might sell for a loss, such as an economic downturn. If this happens, that capital loss can be carried forward and you could report it on future income tax statements, thus potentially reducing taxable income in those years. Invest in a 1031 Exchange or Delaware Statutory Trust. We’ve written about this extensively. By exchanging into another property, or investing in a DST, you could defer paying the capital gains tax, as well as depreciation recapture, from your asset’s sale. The Adjusted Basis – A Potential Tool Calculating your adjusted cost basis, and understanding what that means, is important when it comes to determining your tax strategy. As with anything dealing with investments and tax implications, individual situations can vary. Before deciding to take a loss or gain, it’s recommended that you talk to your financial or tax professional. Realized Holdings specializes in tax strategy, and understands the importance of a property’s correct basis when it comes time to sell. Contact us today for information and tax implications of property basis.", "articleSection" : [ "Capital Gains" ], "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "email" : "marketing@realized1031.com", "image" : "", "name" : "The Realized Team", "url" : "https://www.realized1031.com/blog/author/the-realized-team" }, "dateModified" : "2020-12-02T22:12:40+0000", "datePublished" : "2020-12-02T22:12:40+0000", "description" : "Buying and selling real estate should be a fairly simple process. You buy it, it (hopefully) appreciates in value, then you sell it. 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