Cost Segregation Studies

Accelerate Depreciation & Maximize Tax Savings

A cost segregation study is a process used for income tax purposes that examines the various components of a property, such as plumbing fixtures, carpeting, and sidewalks, which are typically part of a building acquisition or development. Instead of depreciating these components over the same useful life as the entire building (27.5 or 39 years), the study categorizes them separately. This allows property owners and investors to benefit from an accelerated depreciation timeline for certain building elements, potentially resulting in tax savings.

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The 3-Step Process is Simple, Intentionally.

STEP ONE

We’ll perform an evaluation as to whether the tax savings will substantially outweigh the costs, including impacts on timing of cash flows

STEP TWO

If it makes sense, our Cost Seg team will kick off the study and will keep you in the loop at each stage of the process

STEP THREE

We’ll claim the accelerated deductions on your behalf in the most tax-advantaged manner possible

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Lean Staffing Model

Cost Segregation Without the Big Firm Price Tag

Our cost segregation team uses a lean approach that takes advantage of cost efficiencies of batching site visits when engineers are needed on the ground and, when not needed, we deploy other non-engineer professionals who live near the property to perform site visits guided by a remote engineer.

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Accelerated Depreciation

Maximize ROI with a Cost Segregation Study

A cost segregation study isn’t just about accelerating depreciation—it’s about unlocking hidden cash flow and maximizing the return on your real estate investment. By reclassifying building components into shorter depreciation schedules, you can significantly reduce current tax liability, free up working capital, and reinvest those savings back into your business or portfolio.

For many property owners, the ROI of a cost segregation study is immediate, with tax savings often exceeding the cost of the study in the first year alone. Whether you own commercial real estate, multifamily properties, or short-term rentals, this strategy allows you to:

  • Increase after-tax cash flow in the early years of ownership
  • Accelerate depreciation deductions to offset taxable income
  • Reinvest savings into growth opportunities or debt reduction
  • Enhance overall property ROI without changing operations

At Dark Horse CPAs, our team specializes in tax strategies like cost segregation that deliver measurable results. We help you understand the true impact on your bottom line so you can make confident, tax-smart decisions.

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Your tax pro didn’t suggest doing a cost seg study because you didn’t ask

Most tax pros have very little experience with cost segregation studies and don’t know reputable cost seg firms to refer clients to, assuming they both knew when it would make sense for a client and were capable of delivering the planning advice to the client. Too many times, this tax planning opportunity is glossed over or entirely ignored.

Which Type of Property Qualifies?

Cost segregation can be done for buildings purchased or built since 1986, and that includes renovations. It’s especially beneficial for large-scale property developers and investors. You don’t need to be big to benefit, though. Cost segregation applies to many types of properties, including, but not limited to:

Manufacturing Plants
Office Buildings
Healthcare Facilities
Retail Stores
Restaurants
Hotels
Shopping Centers
Financial Institutions
Automobile Dealerships
Distribution Centers & Warehouses
And More

Your Cost Segregation Experts

Suzi Drennen, CPA

Suzi Drennen, CPA

Principal Based in Encinitas, California
Education
University of Southern California
Specialties
+5 more
Certifications
CPA BBKK QuickBooks
Industries
Retail Non-Profits +4 More
Jordan Keller, CPA

Jordan Keller, CPA

Principal Based in Houston, Texas
Education
Bowling Green State University Franklin University
Specialties
+5 more
Certifications
CPA
Industries
eCommerce Real Estate +3 More
John Warner, CPA

John Warner, CPA

Principal Based in St. Louis, Missouri
Education
icon-1
Specialties
+4 more
Certifications
CPA MAT QuickBooks
Industries
Cannabis Real Estate
Teddy Mizerak, CPA

Teddy Mizerak, CPA

Principal Based in Louisville, Kentucky
Education
lousville
Specialties
+3 more
Certifications
CPA AABA
Industries
Real Estate Construction +2 More
James Larsen, CPA

James Larsen, CPA

Principal Based in Orange County, California
Education
northridge Golden Gate Universuty Logo, Master of Science, Taxation, 2011
Specialties
+3 more
Certifications
CPA CFP QuickBooks
Industries
Non-Profits Real Estate +2 More
Craig Trimble, CPA

Craig Trimble, CPA

Principal Based in Ponte Vedra, Florida
Education
central Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Accounting, 2011
Specialties
+3 more
Certifications
CPA QuickBooks AIC
Industries
Construction Real Estate +3 More
Tim McLain, CPA

Tim McLain, CPA

Principal Based in Zanesville, Ohio
Education
OHIO
Specialties
+1 more
Certifications
CPA
Industries
Automotive Oil & Gas
Megan Durst, CPA/ABV, CVA

Megan Durst, CPA/ABV, CVA

Principal Based in Newark, Ohio
Education
Ohio Ohio
Specialties
+3 more
Certifications
CPA ABV CVA
Industries
eCommerce Software +8 More
Mike Madden, CPA

Mike Madden, CPA

Principal Based in Encinitas, California
Education
M.S., Business Administration - Taxation, 2007 UCSD
Specialties
+2 more
Certifications
CPA MBAT EA
Industries
Cannabis Real Estate +1 More
Matthew Lynch, CPA

Matthew Lynch, CPA

Principal Based in Raleigh, North Carolina
Education
Mountaineers
Specialties
+3 more
Certifications
CPA QuickBooks
Industries
Retail eCommerce +3 More
Wayne Eager, CPA

Wayne Eager, CPA

Principal Based in Charlotte Ballantyne, North Carolina
Education
BS Business Administration, Accounting and Logistics, 2011
Specialties
+4 more
Certifications
CPA
Industries
Real Estate Construction +1 More
Brady Kelly, CPA

Brady Kelly, CPA

Senior Manager Based in Nashville, TN
Education
UTC
Specialties
+3 more
Certifications
CPA QuickBooks AICPA
Industries
Real Estate Restaurants +3 More
Tim Whelan, CPA

Tim Whelan, CPA

Principal Based in San Diego, California
Education
UMass
Specialties
+3 more
Certifications
CPA QuickBooks CR
Industries
Retail eCommerce +4 More
Chris Ries, CPA

Chris Ries, CPA

Principal Based in Fort Myers, Florida
Education
Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU)
Specialties
+3 more
Certifications
CPA MAT AICPA
Industries
Real Estate Medical Practices +2 More
Christopher Papp, CPA

Christopher Papp, CPA

Principal Based in Denver, Colorado
Education
Colorado Mesa University
Specialties
+3 more
Certifications
CPA SALT
Industries
Real Estate Manufacturing +2 More
Jim Fisher, CPA

Jim Fisher, CPA

Principal Based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Education
Dordt
Specialties
+3 more
Certifications
CPA
Industries
Real Estate Retail +2 More
Joe Detrow, CPA

Joe Detrow, CPA

Principal Based in Knoxville, Tennessee
Education
Youngstown State
Specialties
+5 more
Certifications
CPA
Industries
Real Estate Construction +2 More
Matt Reese, CPA

Matt Reese, CPA

Principal Based in Orlando, Florida
Education
University of Oklahoma Missouri State
Specialties
+3 more
Certifications
CPA MAFF
Industries
Professional Athletes Real Estate +2 More

Are You Ready?

There is a lot to unpack when it comes to each individual's unique tax planning strategies. If you would like to see if we can help, reach out today.

Suzi Drennen, CPA
Susan Snowden, CPA
Megan Durst, CPA/ABV, CVA
Jordan Keller, CPA
Sean Winkel, CPA
Samuel McCraw, CPA, CPWA®, MAC.
Tim McLain, CPA
Jim Fisher, CPA

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