---
title: Tax Basis Definition | What Is Tax Basis?
description: Tax basis for commercial real estate is the original price of an investment property plus any expenses related to the acquisition of the property.
image: https://www.realized1031.com/hubfs/social-suggested-images/Realized_Glossary_Graphic-2.jpg
---

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# Tax Basis

Tax basis, in the context of commercial real estate, is the original purchase price or cost of an investment property plus any out-of-pocket expenses or [closing costs](https://www.realized1031.com/glossary/closing-costs) related to the acquisition of the property. Also known as “cost basis”.

It is important to note that a taxpayer’s tax basis in a given asset may include several other adjusting factors such as accumulated depreciation deductions claimed during the time of ownership or the value of deferred [capital gains](https://www.realized1031.com/glossary/capital-gain) from [1031 exchanges](https://www.realized1031.com/glossary/1031-exchange) executing during the acquisition of the asset.

To calculate the tax basis of a property start with the cost basis, add any [capital expenditures](https://www.realized1031.com/glossary/capital-expenditures) made during ownership and subtract accumulated [depreciation](https://www.realized1031.com/glossary/depreciation). For example, if an investor purchases a multifamily investment property for $2,000,000, incurs $100,000 of closing costs with the purchase, later replaces the roof at a cost of $250,000 and claims a total of $625,000 in depreciation allowance, then the investor's tax basis in the property would be $1,725,000 ($2,000,000 purchase price plus $100,000 closing costs plus $250,000 capital improvements less $625,000 accumulated depreciation).

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