Cost Segregation Planning Resources

Start with the decision your property requires

A cost segregation study and a tax plan answer connected questions. The study documents property costs and classifications. The tax plan considers how the resulting depreciation fits your ownership, income, prior filings and intended holding period. AE Tax Advisors helps property owners organize that planning discussion before they commit to a study or change a return.

This resource center brings together our existing guides for owners comparing providers, evaluating a quote, preparing records and reviewing implementation. Start with the issue that brought you here, then use the supporting guide to prepare a more specific consultation.

Compare scope, fees and implementation

• Cost segregation study services: understand the property review and responsibilities.
• Study pricing and scope: compare the written engagement, exclusions and filing work.
• Cost segregation quote checklist: collect the questions to ask before signing.
• Cost segregation calculator: explore an illustrative scenario using disclosed assumptions.

Compare proposals for the same property and the same deliverables. A study-only quote and an advisory engagement may cover different work. Ask who prepares the study, who reviews the classifications, who updates the depreciation schedule and who handles any required filing. Confirm whether those services are included or priced separately.

Plan around your property's actual use

• Airbnb and short-term rental studies
• Short-term rental tax strategy
• Real estate tax planning
• Reviewing deduction usability

Bring the property's operating history, personal-use dates, ownership documents and existing depreciation schedule. Describe your expected income and whether you expect to sell, renovate or change rental use. These facts give the planning discussion a useful starting point; a generic percentage of purchase price does not.

Connect the property report to the return

• Basis reconciliation in a cost segregation report
• Study deliverables and supporting records
• Amended return versus Form 3115

Keep the acquisition records, study, depreciation schedules and implementation decisions together. For an older property, identify the years already filed and the methods already used before selecting a correction approach. The return preparer should confirm the appropriate procedure for the facts and filing year.

How AE Tax Advisors and Stratum work together

Stratum Cost Segregation focuses on the property study. AE Tax Advisors focuses on the broader tax strategy conversation and coordination of implementation. Their services have distinct scopes, and the written engagement should identify the responsibilities and fees for your property.

For the study side, explore Stratum's cost segregation study resources, study standards and published study pricing. Use those resources alongside AE's planning guides when deciding what help you need.

Prepare for your discovery call

1. Identify the property address, owner and acquisition date.
2. Gather the closing statement, depreciation schedule and improvement records.
3. Describe rental use, personal use and your expected holding period.
4. List the questions you want answered about the study and tax implementation.

Book a discovery call with AE Tax Advisors

Further reading

The IRS Cost Segregation Audit Technique Guide explains how examiners review studies. It is an examination resource, not an official pronouncement of tax law or an approval of any provider.