{ "name": "AE Tax Advisors Tax Planning Case Study Outcomes", "dateModified": "2026-09-20", "methodologyUrl": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/research/tax-planning-case-study-outcomes/", "includedCaseCount": 54, "originalCaseStudyCount": 75, "excludedOriginalCaseCount": 21, "excludedTemplatedScenarioCount": 480, "statistics": { "medianReportedAnnualTaxSavings": 71500, "averageReportedAnnualTaxSavings": 85426, "minimumReportedAnnualTaxSavings": 18000, "maximumReportedAnnualTaxSavings": 380000, "sumOfHeadlineAnnualFigures": 4613000, "casesAtOrAbove50000": 37, "casesAtOrAbove100000": 15 }, "limitations": [ "Publisher-selected case-study cohort, not a random sample.", "Underlying returns and realization of savings were not independently audited for this report.", "Results do not guarantee or predict a prospective client's outcome.", "Templated scenario pages and non-comparable headline measures are excluded." ], "cases": [ { "slug": "airbnb-arbitrage-operator-business-expense-optimization", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/airbnb-arbitrage-operator-business-expense-optimization/", "industry": "Short-Term Rental Arbitrage (Airbnb & VRBO)", "annualTaxSavings": 38000, "headlineOutcome": "$38,000", "keyMetric": "15 leased units, no property ownership, net income $185K, average 7-day stay" }, { "slug": "auto-dealership-cost-seg-fleet-depreciation", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/auto-dealership-cost-seg-fleet-depreciation/", "industry": "Automotive Dealership Group (3 Locations)", "annualTaxSavings": 187000, "headlineOutcome": "$187,000", "keyMetric": "$4.2M combined building basis, 85-vehicle demo/service fleet" }, { "slug": "construction-company-equipment-depreciation-entity-layering", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/construction-company-equipment-depreciation-entity-layering/", "industry": "Commercial Construction", "annualTaxSavings": 156000, "headlineOutcome": "$156,000", "keyMetric": "$620,000 in equipment purchases" }, { "slug": "consultant-six-figure-s-corp", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/consultant-six-figure-s-corp/", "industry": "Management Consulting (Solo)", "annualTaxSavings": 36000, "headlineOutcome": "$36,000", "keyMetric": "SE tax cut by $19K; retirement plan saves $12K; Augusta Rule adds $5K" }, { "slug": "dental-practice-cost-seg-entity-restructuring", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/dental-practice-cost-seg-entity-restructuring/", "industry": "Dental Practice (General & Cosmetic)", "annualTaxSavings": 94000, "headlineOutcome": "$94,000", "keyMetric": "$1.1M building basis, owner age 54" }, { "slug": "ecommerce-amazon-fba-s-corp", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/ecommerce-amazon-fba-s-corp/", "industry": "E-Commerce (Amazon FBA)", "annualTaxSavings": 58000, "headlineOutcome": "$58,000", "keyMetric": "S-Corp saves $34K in SE tax; inventory method change defers $24K" }, { "slug": "ecommerce-dropship-multistate", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/ecommerce-dropship-multistate/", "industry": "E-Commerce (Dropshipping)", "annualTaxSavings": 31000, "headlineOutcome": "$31,000", "keyMetric": "State filings reduced from 12 to 4; entity restructured to S-Corp" }, { "slug": "ecommerce-sole-prop-to-s-corp-entity-restructuring", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/ecommerce-sole-prop-to-s-corp-entity-restructuring/", "industry": "E-Commerce (Direct-to-Consumer)", "annualTaxSavings": 47000, "headlineOutcome": "$47,000", "keyMetric": "Net profit margin: 32%" }, { "slug": "fix-and-flip-dealer-vs-investor-classification", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/fix-and-flip-dealer-vs-investor-classification/", "industry": "Real Estate (Fix-and-Flip)", "annualTaxSavings": 67000, "headlineOutcome": "$67,000", "keyMetric": "$1.8M annual flip revenue, $420K net" }, { "slug": "four-llc-consolidation-management-company", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/four-llc-consolidation-management-company/", "industry": "Multi-Business (Landscaping, Property Mgmt, Equipment Rental, Cleaning)", "annualTaxSavings": 78000, "headlineOutcome": "$78,000", "keyMetric": "$480K combined net income across entities" }, { "slug": "franchise-owner-seven-locations-centralized-planning", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/franchise-owner-seven-locations-centralized-planning/", "industry": "Quick-Service Restaurant Franchise (7 locations)", "annualTaxSavings": 134000, "headlineOutcome": "$134,000", "keyMetric": "120+ employees, 3 owned buildings" }, { "slug": "freelancer-home-office-vehicle", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/freelancer-home-office-vehicle/", "industry": "Freelance Graphic/UX Design", "annualTaxSavings": 18000, "headlineOutcome": "$18,000", "keyMetric": "Home office + Section 179 SUV + SEP-IRA = $18K annual savings" }, { "slug": "hotel-boutique-investor-cost-seg-ffe-energy-credits", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/hotel-boutique-investor-cost-seg-ffe-energy-credits/", "industry": "Boutique Hotel (32 Rooms, Full-Service)", "annualTaxSavings": 155000, "headlineOutcome": "$155,000", "keyMetric": "$5.2M property basis, $680K FF&E, 32 rooms, RevPAR $185" }, { "slug": "husband-wife-three-businesses-joint-optimization", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/husband-wife-three-businesses-joint-optimization/", "industry": "Dental Practice + Real Estate + E-Commerce", "annualTaxSavings": 91000, "headlineOutcome": "$91,000", "keyMetric": "Combined household income $780K, 3 active businesses, both spouses active, ages 49 and 47" }, { "slug": "insurance-agency-commission-entity-optimization", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/insurance-agency-commission-entity-optimization/", "industry": "Insurance Agency (Property & Casualty)", "annualTaxSavings": 54000, "headlineOutcome": "$54,000", "keyMetric": "Owner income $520K, 8 licensed agents, $1.4M commission income" }, { "slug": "international-business-owner-treaty-planning-gilti", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/international-business-owner-treaty-planning-gilti/", "industry": "International Software Development & IT Services", "annualTaxSavings": 136000, "headlineOutcome": "$136,000", "keyMetric": "$1.6M foreign subsidiary income, operations in US, UK, and India, 45 employees globally" }, { "slug": "landscaping-contractor-section-179-stacking", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/landscaping-contractor-section-179-stacking/", "industry": "Landscaping & General Contracting", "annualTaxSavings": 49000, "headlineOutcome": "$49,000", "keyMetric": "Owner income $285K, 14 employees, $380K equipment fleet" }, { "slug": "law-firm-partner-s-corp-cash-balance-plan", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/law-firm-partner-s-corp-cash-balance-plan/", "industry": "Law Firm (Litigation Practice)", "annualTaxSavings": 95000, "headlineOutcome": "$95,000", "keyMetric": "Partner age 52, net income $980K, 3 associates" }, { "slug": "ltr-section-1250-recapture-planning", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/ltr-section-1250-recapture-planning/", "industry": "Long-Term Rental Portfolio", "annualTaxSavings": 127000, "headlineOutcome": "$127,000", "keyMetric": "$127K in taxes deferred via 1031 exchange; recapture exposure managed" }, { "slug": "manufacturing-company-rd-credit-macrs", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/manufacturing-company-rd-credit-macrs/", "industry": "Precision Manufacturing (Aerospace Components)", "annualTaxSavings": 142000, "headlineOutcome": "$142,000", "keyMetric": "$1.2M annual R&D spend, $2.8M equipment basis, 65 employees" }, { "slug": "marketing-agency-home-office-augusta-rule-s-corp", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/marketing-agency-home-office-augusta-rule-s-corp/", "industry": "Digital Marketing Agency (Social Media & Content)", "annualTaxSavings": 41000, "headlineOutcome": "$41,000", "keyMetric": "Owner income $410K, 1,800 sq ft home office, 6 contractors" }, { "slug": "medical-practice-c-corp-retirement-stacking", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/medical-practice-c-corp-retirement-stacking/", "industry": "Medical Practice (Orthopedic Surgery)", "annualTaxSavings": 89000, "headlineOutcome": "$89,000", "keyMetric": "Owner compensation: $680,000" }, { "slug": "mobile-home-park-cost-seg-infrastructure", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/mobile-home-park-cost-seg-infrastructure/", "industry": "Mobile Home Park (Manufactured Housing Community)", "annualTaxSavings": 98000, "headlineOutcome": "$98,000", "keyMetric": "120 pads, $2.8M acquisition basis, 92% occupancy, $34K/pad average lot rent" }, { "slug": "multi-entity-family-income-splitting", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/multi-entity-family-income-splitting/", "industry": "Property Management + Cleaning Services", "annualTaxSavings": 39000, "headlineOutcome": "$39,000", "keyMetric": "Income shifted to 4 family members; combined bracket reduction + retirement" }, { "slug": "multi-entity-holding-company", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/multi-entity-holding-company/", "industry": "Multi-Business (Fitness, Supplements, Apparel, Digital Media)", "annualTaxSavings": 54000, "headlineOutcome": "$54,000", "keyMetric": "4 entities consolidated under holding S-Corp; single retirement plan" }, { "slug": "multi-entity-real-estate-operating", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/multi-entity-real-estate-operating/", "industry": "Physical Therapy Practice + Rental Portfolio", "annualTaxSavings": 83000, "headlineOutcome": "$83,000", "keyMetric": "Self-rental recharacterization + REPS + management company = $83K savings" }, { "slug": "nonprofit-founder-for-profit-entities-related-party", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/nonprofit-founder-for-profit-entities-related-party/", "industry": "Nonprofit Education Foundation + For-Profit Training & Consulting", "annualTaxSavings": 78000, "headlineOutcome": "$78,000", "keyMetric": "Founder salary $220K, $950K consulting revenue, shared facilities, 28 employees across entities" }, { "slug": "partnership-to-s-corp", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/partnership-to-s-corp/", "industry": "Management Consulting (Partnership)", "annualTaxSavings": 36000, "headlineOutcome": "$36,000", "keyMetric": "SE tax reduced by $36K combined ($18K per partner)" }, { "slug": "physician-reps-qualification-cost-seg-combo", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/physician-reps-qualification-cost-seg-combo/", "industry": "Medicine (Emergency Physician) + Real Estate Investments", "annualTaxSavings": 112000, "headlineOutcome": "$112,000", "keyMetric": "Physician spouse managing 8 rental units, $2.6M RE portfolio, combined income $860K" }, { "slug": "physician-w2-str-reps", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/physician-w2-str-reps/", "industry": "Physician (W-2) + STR Portfolio", "annualTaxSavings": 89000, "headlineOutcome": "$89,000", "keyMetric": "Spousal REPS + 3 STR cost seg studies = $89K annual savings" }, { "slug": "private-medical-practice-c-corp-defined-benefit", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/private-medical-practice-c-corp-defined-benefit/", "industry": "Private Medical Practice (Orthopedic Surgery)", "annualTaxSavings": 168000, "headlineOutcome": "$168,000", "keyMetric": "4 physician-partners, average income $680K each, 22 staff" }, { "slug": "professional-athlete-entity-setup-real-estate-offset", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/professional-athlete-entity-setup-real-estate-offset/", "industry": "Professional Sports (NFL) + Real Estate Investments", "annualTaxSavings": 174000, "headlineOutcome": "$174,000", "keyMetric": "$3M income, $1.8M real estate portfolio, 4 rental properties, career window 5-7 years" }, { "slug": "real-estate-agent-investment-portfolio", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/real-estate-agent-investment-portfolio/", "industry": "Real Estate Agent + STR Investor", "annualTaxSavings": 71000, "headlineOutcome": "$71,000", "keyMetric": "REPS via brokerage hours + cost seg on 3 STRs = $71K savings" }, { "slug": "real-estate-broker-team-entity", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/real-estate-broker-team-entity/", "industry": "Real Estate Brokerage", "annualTaxSavings": 52000, "headlineOutcome": "$52,000", "keyMetric": "Commission restructured through S-Corp; group health plan added" }, { "slug": "real-estate-professional-grouping-election", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/real-estate-professional-grouping-election/", "industry": "Property Management + Rental Portfolio", "annualTaxSavings": 118000, "headlineOutcome": "$118,000", "keyMetric": "2,100+ hours in real estate activities" }, { "slug": "restaurant-cost-seg-tip-credit", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/restaurant-cost-seg-tip-credit/", "industry": "Restaurant (2 Locations)", "annualTaxSavings": 94000, "headlineOutcome": "$94,000", "keyMetric": "Cost seg on 2 buildings + FICA tip credit = $94K annual savings" }, { "slug": "restaurant-group-multi-entity-optimization", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/restaurant-group-multi-entity-optimization/", "industry": "Restaurant Group (Full-Service Dining)", "annualTaxSavings": 134000, "headlineOutcome": "$134,000", "keyMetric": "85 tipped employees across locations" }, { "slug": "s-corp-late-election-relief", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/s-corp-late-election-relief/", "industry": "Digital Marketing Agency", "annualTaxSavings": 19000, "headlineOutcome": "$19,000", "keyMetric": "Late election approved; retroactive to January 1" }, { "slug": "s-corp-multiple-businesses", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/s-corp-multiple-businesses/", "industry": "Multi-Business (Staffing, IT Services, Training)", "annualTaxSavings": 67000, "headlineOutcome": "$67,000", "keyMetric": "QBI deduction maximized across all entities; single retirement plan" }, { "slug": "s-corp-officer-comp-correction", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/s-corp-officer-comp-correction/", "industry": "Professional Services (Consulting)", "annualTaxSavings": 31000, "headlineOutcome": "$31,000", "keyMetric": "Officer comp ratio corrected from 3.4% to 7.3% of revenue" }, { "slug": "s-corp-payroll-setup-sole-prop", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/s-corp-payroll-setup-sole-prop/", "industry": "Management Consulting", "annualTaxSavings": 22000, "headlineOutcome": "$22,000", "keyMetric": "Self-employment tax reduced by 62%" }, { "slug": "s-corp-qbi-threshold-optimization", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/s-corp-qbi-threshold-optimization/", "industry": "Marketing Agency", "annualTaxSavings": 28000, "headlineOutcome": "$28,000", "keyMetric": "Taxable income reduced from $425K to $326K (below MFJ threshold)" }, { "slug": "s-corp-to-c-corp-medical", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/s-corp-to-c-corp-medical/", "industry": "Medical Practice (Orthopedics)", "annualTaxSavings": 72000, "headlineOutcome": "$72,000", "keyMetric": "Effective rate reduced from 43.3% to 29.1% through entity + benefits" }, { "slug": "saas-founder-rd-credit-s-corp-optimization", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/saas-founder-rd-credit-s-corp-optimization/", "industry": "Software as a Service (B2B SaaS)", "annualTaxSavings": 38000, "headlineOutcome": "$38,000", "keyMetric": "3 developers, $240K annual R&D spend" }, { "slug": "self-storage-facility-cost-seg-automation", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/self-storage-facility-cost-seg-automation/", "industry": "Self-Storage Facilities (3 Locations)", "annualTaxSavings": 126000, "headlineOutcome": "$126,000", "keyMetric": "1,450 total units, $4.8M combined building basis, $420K automation equipment" }, { "slug": "sole-prop-to-s-corp-contractor", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/sole-prop-to-s-corp-contractor/", "industry": "General Contracting / Construction", "annualTaxSavings": 41000, "headlineOutcome": "$41,000", "keyMetric": "SE tax reduced from $44,200 to $18,400; retirement plan added" }, { "slug": "tech-consulting-firm-ic-classification-accountable-plan", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/tech-consulting-firm-ic-classification-accountable-plan/", "industry": "Technology Consulting (Cybersecurity & Cloud)", "annualTaxSavings": 62000, "headlineOutcome": "$62,000", "keyMetric": "12 contractors, 4 W-2 employees, owner income $620K" }, { "slug": "tech-founder-equity-comp-83b", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/tech-founder-equity-comp-83b/", "industry": "Technology Startup (AI/ML)", "annualTaxSavings": 380000, "headlineOutcome": "$380,000", "keyMetric": "83(b) election at $0.001/share; acquisition at $12/share; $380K saved" }, { "slug": "tech-startup-rd-credit-qsbs", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/tech-startup-rd-credit-qsbs/", "industry": "SaaS / Technology Startup", "annualTaxSavings": 45000, "headlineOutcome": "$45,000", "keyMetric": "$45K annual R&D credit + $10M potential QSBS exclusion at exit" }, { "slug": "triple-net-lease-passive-income-grouping-elections", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/triple-net-lease-passive-income-grouping-elections/", "industry": "Triple Net Lease (NNN) Commercial Real Estate", "annualTaxSavings": 67000, "headlineOutcome": "$67,000", "keyMetric": "$4M portfolio, 4 properties, NNN tenants, passive investor" }, { "slug": "trucking-logistics-fleet-depreciation-fuel-credits", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/trucking-logistics-fleet-depreciation-fuel-credits/", "industry": "Trucking & Logistics (Regional Freight)", "annualTaxSavings": 118000, "headlineOutcome": "$118,000", "keyMetric": "42-truck fleet, $3.2M equipment basis, $680K annual fuel spend" }, { "slug": "veterinary-practice-cost-seg-section-179", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/veterinary-practice-cost-seg-section-179/", "industry": "Veterinary Medicine (Small Animal & Emergency)", "annualTaxSavings": 83000, "headlineOutcome": "$83,000", "keyMetric": "$1.4M clinic building, $380K equipment purchases, owner age 48" }, { "slug": "w2-couple-str-offset", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/w2-couple-str-offset/", "industry": "W-2 Employees (Airline Pilot + Tech Executive)", "annualTaxSavings": 68000, "headlineOutcome": "$68,000", "keyMetric": "$195K paper loss from STR offsets W-2 income" }, { "slug": "w2-salt-cap-ptet-workaround", "url": "https://www.aetaxadvisors.com/case-studies/w2-salt-cap-ptet-workaround/", "industry": "Architectural Design Firm", "annualTaxSavings": 23000, "headlineOutcome": "$23,000", "keyMetric": "SALT deduction increased from $10K cap to $47K via PTET" } ] }