What are the tax rules for real estate professionals?
Emily Baldwin 
If a taxpayer qualifies as a real estate professional, however, the passive activity loss rules do not apply and losses from rental real estate activities are deductible against nonpassive income such as wages or Schedule C income (Secs. 469 (a), (c) (2), and (c) (7)).
Is the rental property of a real estate professional passive?
A rental real estate activity of a taxpayer who qualifies as a real estate professional is not per se passive, but the taxpayer must still materially participate in the activity for it to be treated as nonpassive.
How to qualify as a real estate professional?
Thus, a taxpayer with rental incomenow has an incentive to qualify as a real estate professional: characterizing rental income as nonpassive to avoid imposition of the surtax. 2 As a result, it has never been more desirable for a taxpayer with rental activities to meet the qualification of a real estate professional.
Do you treat rental real estate as one activity?
Each interest in a rental real estate activity is a separate activity, unless the taxpayer elects to treat all interests in rental real estate activities as one activity (Sec. 469 (c) (7) (A)).
How does the IRS define’real estate pro’?
Unfortunately for Hassanipour, the IRS concluded that he did not qualify as a real estate professional and the Tax Court agreed. 2021 digital & in-person events! Secure your tickets now.
Do you have to be a real estate professional?
Unfortunately for Hassanipour, the IRS concluded that he did not qualify as a real estate professional and the Tax Court agreed. There are two requirements to be a real estate professional: (1) you (or your spouse, if you file a joint return) must work at least 750 hours per year in real estate businesses,…
Can a real estate professional be audited by the IRS?
There is a qualifying disposition under IRC § 469 (g); or, The taxpayer meets the requirements of IRC § 469 (c) (7) for real estate professionals. Audit issues, exclusions, and exceptions are discussed later in this chapter. For Rental Income issues, see Chapter 3.
