One of the potential benefits of DSTs is that they are considered to “Passive Income Generators” or “PIGS” for short. In this blog, we will discuss how income from DSTs can offset losses that many rental property owners may experience.
Investors will realize a rental loss if the income from their properties is not enough to cover all the expenses and deductions associated with their rental property. For investors who own portfolios of rental properties, losses can be determined by combining income from all properties and the subtracting all deductions and expenses. It is very common for rental property owners to experience negative cash flow and losses during their first years of ownership with the hope that their income will become positive as rents are increased in future years.
According to Nolo Press, IRS statistics show that in one recent year, over half of the filed Schedule E forms reporting rental income and expenses showed a loss. This translated to over 5.2 million taxpayers showing a loss on rental property.
It may come as a surprise to some investors that the IRS treats income and losses generated from rental properties differently from other forms of investments. Per IRS rules, in most cases, rental real estate activities are deemed to be “passive activities” which are defined an activity that generates income from a tangible property rather than for services performed.
Deductions of losses from rental properties are limited and investors generally are only allowed to offset losses from rental passive income, with losses from other passive activities. Therefore, as an example, you cannot deduct rental property losses against ordinary income that you may receive as an employee. Excesses losses are generally carried forward to future tax years.
Investors who cannot generate enough passive income are often not able to take full advantage of past losses well into future years or when they sell to an unrelated third party.
What should you do if you find yourself in this situation?
One solution is to seek new investments that are Passive Income Generators (PIGS) and see if you can take advantage of past losses sooner rather than later.
The income generated from a DST investment is considered passive income and can be used to soak up past passive losses. An often-overlooked advantage of DST investments is that higher cash flow can realized through utilizing past passive tax loss deductions.
Not all investors can take advantage of this strategy and, in any case, you should consult a qualified tax advisor to determine how these added deductions may impact your personal tax situation.
For further information including referrals to knowledgeable CPAs and tax advisors, please contact us at 866 398-1031 or email us at info@FirstGuardianGroup.com .
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