The Mark Perlberg CPA Podcast

Send us Fan Mail *Learn what kind of potential tax savings exist for you at https://www.prosperlcpa.com/apply We break down why making more money can still leave you with less take-home pay once tax brackets jump and key credits and deductions start phasing out. We walk through the “sweet spot” concept and how to time write offs so one move can unlock multiple tax incentives without drifting into wasteful over-planning. • why the $200K single and $400K married thresholds matter most • how marginal brackets jump and create a bigger tax bite • qualified business income deduction phaseouts for business owners and service pros • child tax credit phaseout math and why credits vanish fast • SALT deduction phaseout ranges and why AGI matters • an example of stacking deductions to reopen lost incentives • when tax strategy becomes overkill and creates future problems • “use it or lose it” deductions and why zero income can hurt • low tax year plays like Roth conversions and capital gains planning • strategy stacking for very high income earners using multiple tools If by any chance you find that this is a little bit too challenging for you to grasp and implement, I strongly suggest you go to prosperocpa.com slash apply, and we will help you understand how this could potentially come together to you and what other types of advanced tax reduction strategies can help you in winning the tax code.

Send us Fan Mail Your business is not worth what your revenue says it’s worth. It’s worth what a buyer believes will keep working after you’re gone and they’re willing to pay up or discount hard based on risk. We sit down with Tom McElwrath of Kandem Services Group (KSG) to unpack what actually drives business valuation and enterprise value for high-income business owners. We talk through the risks that quietly destroy a sale price: founder dependence, customer concentration, undocumented processes, weak bench depth, and relationships that live only in the owner’s head. Tom explains why the smartest move is starting three to five years before a sale, because once an LOI shows up, diligence begins and negotiating power shrinks fast. We also connect operations to financial clarity and tax planning. If you don’t trust your books, you can’t forecast cash flow, manage EBITDA, or plan taxes with confidence. We dig into why a fractional CFO can be a game-changer, how clean financials make buyers more comfortable, and how tax savings can create liquidity to reinvest in systems and growth. Then we get tactical on valuation multiples, deal terms beyond purchase price, and one overlooked concept that can add real money at closing: adbacks. If you’re building toward an exit or simply want a company that runs without you, listen through and take notes. Subscribe, share this with a fellow owner, and leave a review with the biggest risk you’re going to de-risk first. Next Steps: for a free assessment of how advanced tax reduction can help build your wealth, go to: https://prosperlcpa.com/apply Connect with Tom at:Tom@kandem.com

Send us Fan Mail We break down why one “big” tax move rarely solves the tax problem for high-income earners, especially when legal limits cap how much any single strategy can do. We lay out how tax strategy stacking works so we can cut taxes now, manage risk, and keep layering savings year after year. • the hidden limits behind popular write-off strategies like cost segregation and business losses • the excess business loss limitation and why W-2 earners hit ceilings fast • attacking AGI first with practical moves like entity structuring and legitimate family payroll • layering charitable deduction strategies to reduce taxable income after other tactics max out • using capital loss harvesting to offset major capital gains events • diversifying tax strategies to hedge audit risk and law changes • layering year-two upgrades like solar credits on a short-term rental • deciding what to do with tax savings and adjusting W-2 withholding sooner Now, if any of this sounds interesting and applicable to you and you're interested on how this may apply, I strongly encourage you to go to https://www.prosperalcpa.com/apply . And there you'll fill out a quick survey, have a conversation with someone on the team, and we will personally share with you what may be possible for you based on your situation when we utilize advanced tax reduction strategies.

Send us Fan Mail Why does the intangible drilling cost deduction makes oil and gas investing so attractive for high-income earners? Faster write-offs and more control over timing. Learn about the rules, limits, and risks so you can weigh tax savings against real-world investment economics. • defining IDC versus tangible drilling costs with clear examples • why prepaid IDC can create a current-year deduction before a well produces • how working interest can make losses non-passive and usable against W-2 and other income • why Congress designed these incentives for domestic energy production and jobs • a $100,000 example showing how year-one deductions can translate into tax savings • the importance of binding drilling obligations, economic performance, and ethical operators • why you should not invest for tax savings alone • how oil and gas can complement real estate loss planning • future-year tax impact, profit timing, and the depletion allowance • state conformity differences, including California limits • potential constraints from AMT and the excess business loss limitation • year-end planning in Q4 and using deductions to target a better bracket If at any time you would like to get personalized insight on how this may apply to you and how we could help, I suggest you go to https://www.prosperalcpa.com/apply .

Send us Fan Mail We break down how certain convenience store and gas station real estate investments can produce a massive first-year tax deduction using 100% bonus depreciation and fund-level leverage. We also map out who can use the losses, what returns can look like, and how to plan for depreciation recapture with smart exit options like DSTs and 1031 exchanges. • how C-stores can qualify for 100% bonus depreciation when gasoline revenue meets the threshold • why leverage inside the fund can turn $100,000 of equity into a much larger K-1 tax loss • how rental losses can offset passive real estate income and other passive income streams • when Real Estate Professional Status can open up active income and portfolio income planning • how failed 1031 exchanges and boot can be partially neutralized with the right loss strategy • what to expect in years two through exit, including projected hold periods and cash-on-cash returns • how depreciation recapture works and why rolling into a DST can help manage the tax hit • why DSTs can make sense for passive investors, debt replacement, and diversification by hold period The way to get a hold of me is first my email is Larry at 1031financial.com. The firm is 1031financial.com. And the way to get a hold of Lary directly is 516-350-2643. *Go to https://www.prosperlcpa.com/apply , and I will send you a personalized video illustrating what may be possible based on your situation.

Send us Fan Mail We break down depletion allowance, the oil and gas version of depreciation, and show how it can reduce taxes on production income without reducing your actual cash distributions. We also explain why many high-income investors use depletion to improve after-tax yield while keeping an eye on the rules and the real-world limits. • depletion allowance defined as a deduction tied to shrinking natural resources • why depletion can increase after-tax cash flow through paper losses • cost depletion basics using units produced and remaining reserves • percentage depletion explained as a revenue-based formula • why percentage depletion can continue beyond original investment • key limitations in loss years plus rolling unused depletion forward • working interest versus royalty interest as different investing paths • what investors see on a K-1 and where it lands on the 1040 • IDC versus depletion, upfront deduction versus ongoing deduction • example math showing why the effective tax benefit can exceed 15% of cash received • combining depletion with broader tax planning like real estate losses, charitable planning, cost segregation, Roth timing, and state planning If you’re interested, you can go to https://www.prosperlcpa.com/apply to learn more.

Send us Fan Mail Real estate can create cash flow and wealth while lowering taxable income through depreciation, cost segregation, and smarter classification of rental activity. We also flag the traps that hurt first-time investors, especially when chasing write-offs instead of solid deal fundamentals. • why rental income can avoid FICA while W-2 income cannot • how depreciation works and why cost segregation accelerates deductions • what bonus depreciation is and how it can front-load year-one write-offs • why passive loss rules block many W-2 investors from using losses • how the 7-day average stay rule can turn short-term rentals into non-passive activity • what material participation means and how to track hours credibly • when real estate professional status applies and why it matters for long-term rentals • a real client example where accelerated depreciation wipes out a large tax bill • warnings about buying cash-flow negative properties just for tax savings • entity myths, LLC vs personal ownership, and why deductions are about the business purpose • S-corp complexity in Tennessee and the impact of franchise and excise tax • the Augusta rule and self-rental basics for legitimate business use To see if anything in this podcase or any other tax strategies may apply to you go to https://www.prosperlcpa.com/apply

Send us Fan Mail Paying almost nothing in taxes sounds like clickbait until you hear how full-time real estate investors actually operate. We sit down with Richard Gamble, a full-time investor with a wide portfolio across rentals, multifamily, and commercial assets, to talk about the real work behind “low tax” results and why the bigger win is building a repeatable system that scales. We get into the difference between basic tax preparation and real estate tax strategy: year-round planning, constant deal-structure conversations, and the compliance grind that shows up when you have multiple entities, partnership returns, and hundreds of units worth of reporting. We also break down key real estate investing tax tools like Real Estate Professional Status, accelerated depreciation and cost segregation studies, and why you sometimes hold depreciation back so you can use it when it matters most. Then we go deep on 1031 exchanges and the stress investors feel around hard deadlines, qualified intermediaries, and what can derail a great plan if you start too late. We also talk partnership realities: why you need everything in writing, how to choose partners you can actually work with, and how taxes and state policy can shape where you invest (including lessons from moving out of California and navigating Tennessee nuances). To wrap up, Richard shares what he’s most excited about next in development and how to connect with his My Tribe community. Subscribe for more practical tax planning and real estate investing conversations, share this with an investor friend, and leave a review with the biggest takeaway you’re applying next. To learn more about how this topic or any tax reduction strategies may apply go to https://www.prosperlcpa.com/opportunityreport for a free consultation Or if you're interested in a free tax planning course go to https://www.taxplanningchecklist.com

Send us Fan Mail We break down how oil and gas working interests and stock portfolios differ when taxes are the real scoreboard, from upfront deductions to long-term rates and liquidity. We walk through depletion, step-up basis, passive loss planning, and the advanced strategies that can turn a big income year into a smarter long-term wealth plan. • upfront tax deductions from oil and gas working interests and why stocks usually do not offer them in taxable accounts • how oil and gas losses can offset W-2 income, capital gains, business profits, and even Roth conversions • why long-term capital gains and qualified dividends often face lower federal tax rates than ordinary income • depletion allowance basics and how it reduces taxable oil and gas distributions • step-up in basis and why it can make stocks a powerful legacy asset • liquidity differences and how borrowing against a stock portfolio can create tax-free access to cash • using suspended passive losses from real estate to offset oil and gas passive income • capital gains mitigation tools for stocks including loss harvesting, trusts, charitable strategies, and qualified opportunity zone funds • timing control advantages with stocks versus third-party timing in oil and gas • portfolio sizing framework for oil and gas risk and diversification go to ***To see how this or any of our advanced tax strategies can help you, go to https://www.prosperalcpa.com/apply ***

Send us Fan Mail We share an exclusive client workshop on advanced oil and gas tax planning and how the tax code can turn a passive energy investment into a powerful deduction strategy. We lay out how IDC and depletion work, where the real risks live, and how to coordinate oil and gas with real estate, capital gains, and retirement moves. • why working interest oil and gas can create non-passive losses that offset W-2 income • how intangible drilling costs drive large first-year deductions and why timing matters • what depletion deduction does for ongoing cash flow tax efficiency • differences between investing with an operator, a diversified fund, or royalty rights • oil and gas versus real estate tradeoffs on appreciation, leverage, and tax control • stacking cost segregation losses with oil and gas profits for smoother tax outcomes • using oil and gas planning for capital gains mitigation and potential 1031 exchange paths • retirement planning ideas including self-directed IRA considerations and Roth conversion tax math • gifting strategies for estate planning and income shifting to family members • qualified opportunity zone fund concepts tied to oil and gas and why the exit can matter • how we model after-tax ROI so decisions are based on math, not hype *If you want to see how any of these strategies may apply to you, go to http://www.prosperlcpa.com/apply and I'll personally send you a video illustrating what's possible.

Send us Fan Mail California’s tax system can make a big raise feel small, especially once you cross the income points where rates jump and deductions phase out. We walk through California brackets, federal brackets, hidden payroll taxes, and real tax software examples, then map out planning options that can reduce the damage without forcing a move. • California marginal brackets and why the early tiers look deceptively friendly • The extra California layers like SDI and the mental health services tax • Federal tax brackets plus why Medicare can push your true marginal rate higher • Mock return examples at $300k, $400k, $500k, $750k, $1M, and $1.5M • “Tax on the increase” and why 40% to 50% of a raise can disappear • QBI phaseout and lost credits after key income thresholds • Why oil and gas deductions often help federal but not California • Why California limits real estate professional status benefits and bonus depreciation • Charitable deduction strategies that can offset federal and state taxes • Pass-through entity tax election for California business owners • Timing retirement distributions and stock sales to reduce California tax exposure 👇 Ready to optimize your wealth and stop overpaying the IRS? Go to https://www.prosperlcpa.com/apply

Send us Fan Mail Listen as I lay out the exact step by step plan I would follow if I earned $1M to $2M in W-2 income and wanted to stop overpaying by six figures. I explain how to pick strategies that fit your goals, stack them intelligently, and turn tax savings into long-term wealth instead of a one-time refund. • clarifying goals, liquidity, and time budget before choosing any tax strategy • matching tax planning “DNA” to risk tolerance, time, and desired outcomes • using real estate strategies like short-term rentals and real estate professional status to create depreciation losses • evaluating solar tax credits, oil and gas deductions, and advanced charitable strategies for additional offsets • stacking strategies while respecting limits like the excess business loss cap • targeting tax “sweet spots” instead of forcing taxable income to zero • adjusting W-2 withholdings to access savings sooner and reinvest faster • layering future moves like fringe benefits, retirement accounts, and long-term planning • keeping the plan updated as tax law and life circumstances change, plus not neglecting estate planning Are you interested to see how these concepts may apply to you and your wealth building/tax reduction strategy? To learn more, go to https://www.prosperlcpa.com/apply

Send us Fan Mail We challenge the idea that cutting taxes is the finish line and lay out a more durable way to build after-tax wealth. Dave Walcott shares how a family office mindset, investor DNA, and systems thinking can help high earners stop chasing shiny objects and start compounding with purpose. • why tax savings without a plan can increase risk and waste time • the difference between tax preparers and proactive tax planners • using an investor DNA framework to match strategies to lifestyle and goals • comparing active strategies like short-term rentals with passive options like oil and gas • common mistakes in alternative investments and why an investment policy statement matters • thinking in after-tax terms, including capital gains, retirement account taxes, and depreciation recapture • how scenario planning tools can model future tax liabilities and liquidity events • infinite banking basics, including tax-free growth, policy loans, asset protection, and estate planning angles • why private credit is often misunderstood and how it can fit into a passive income strategy Go to Holisticwealthstrategy.com for a free copy of Dave’s book. Go to taxplanningchecklist.com for an introductory course on foundational to advanced tax planning strategies. Ready to Get started with advanced Tax Planning? Go to Prosperlcpa.com/apply Watch the educational video at https://wwww.contrarianwealthbuilder.com and check out the software at https://www.pantheonwealthos.com

Send us Fan Mail We break down why the short-term rental loophole can produce massive tax savings and why the same strategy can collapse in an IRS audit if the paperwork is weak. We walk through what actually triggers scrutiny, what auditors ask for first, and how we document the rules so the losses stay usable. • short-term rental loophole basics under IRC Section 469 and why it changes passive loss limits • seven-day average length of stay and how to prove it with Airbnb or VRBO stay logs • audit triggers we see most often, especially missing or mismatched 1099 income • how the IRS tests deductions, including bank statement tie-outs and reasonable expenses • cost segregation study scrutiny, what can get adjusted, and why it is usually not the main fight • material participation tests that matter: 100 hours plus no one else more, 500 hours, substantially all • why cleaners, property managers, partners, and big properties make the 100-hour test harder • grouping elections for multiple short-term rentals and why long-term rentals cannot be grouped in • how to prove hours, why courts punish vague estimates, and why logs win audits • what hours count, what investor hours do not count, and where the gray areas live • what to do if you lose, including appeals and amending to elect out of cost segregation Go to https://www.prosperlcpa.com/apply for a free conversation and a video from me illustrating what maybe be possible and how much we can save you with advanced tax reduction strategies. If you want that, just type our log in the comments or just email me and I’ll send that right on over to you.

Send us Fan Mail We unpack the Excess Business Loss limitation and show how it caps the amount of business loss you can use against W-2 wages, interest, dividends, and capital gains. We share thresholds for 2025–2026 and walk through timing moves with cost segregation, capital gains, credits, and withholding. • who EBL hits hardest among high W-2 earners and investors • section 461 rules that limit losses against non-business income • 2025 and 2026 thresholds for single and joint filers • why carryforwards lose value for rental losses • timing cost segs and electing out of bonus on classes • pairing staged losses with staged capital gains • stacking credits and charitable strategies after EBL caps • using W-4 planning to access tax savings sooner If any of this is applicable to you and you want to learn more and see how these concepts apply, and also if you want to get a personalized video made from me where I will review your situation and I will outline what may be possible when we use advanced tax reduction strategies and which of these strategies listed above may apply to you and how much it could save you, and anything else to help you understand how advanced tax reduction can apply to your situation. I suggest you go to http://www.prosperalcpa.com/apply . That's prosper with an L CPA.com slash apply.

Send us Fan Mail Feeling whiplash from “too good to be true” tax ideas? We break down a practical Tax DNA framework that helps high earners sort hype from value by weighing five levers: compliance risk, economic risk, tax ROI, economic ROI, and return on time. With that lens in hand, we compare real estate, oil and gas, advanced charitable strategies, and solar so you can see exactly where each shines, where it breaks, and how to mix them for durable savings. We start by defining the tradeoffs behind popular techniques—why a dazzling deduction can backfire through recapture, penalties, or negative cash flow—and then show how to design a plan you can sustain year after year. Real estate gets a deep look: cost segregation, material participation, short term rental rules, and a strong “second home + furnishings” play that can create hefty front-loaded deductions. We explain when real estate produces medium tax ROI but exceptional economic ROI through appreciation, leverage, and tax-smart exits—and where the time burden becomes the limiting factor. For those who want speed and simplicity, we unpack oil and gas: generally lower tax ROI up front, but strong economic ROI potential and tax-advantaged depletion on the back end, with minimal time required. We put advanced charitable ideas under the microscope—acknowledging their powerful tax ROI and equally real compliance risks—plus a sober take on what’s legitimate versus risky gray areas. Then we map out solar credits and depreciation for predictable, high tax ROI, explain carrybacks, and clarify why profits often rely on incentives and modest participation. We finish with the playbook high earners actually use: stack strategies to protect liquidity, time the aggressive moves for peak-income years, avoid over-deducting past your sweet spot, and harvest the “boring” foundation—entity optimization, pass-through entity taxes, accountable plans, Augusta rule, family payroll, and timing of income and gains. Subscribe, share with a colleague who hates overpaying, and leave a review with one question about your Tax DNA you want us to tackle next. f you’re overwhelmed by the noise online and want clarity on what actually fits your situation, go to http://prosperlcpa.com/opportunityreport Answer a few questions, and I’ll personally send you a video showing what may be possible with advanced planning based on your numbers.

Send us Fan Mail We unpack how marriage can meaningfully lower taxes for high-income earners and how to plan before and after the wedding. We share practical strategies on timing income, creating deductible losses, leveraging participation rules, and using healthcare and equity tools to keep more of what you make. • why joint filing usually reduces total tax • doubled standard deduction and home sale exclusion • capital gains thresholds and NIIT mitigation • pre‑wedding income shifting and gifting stock • delaying sales with loans and cash‑out refis • accelerating deductions in the final single year • state moves, residency timing, and common law options • building a joint asset and income map • combining hours to meet material participation • short‑term rental losses to offset W‑2 income • excess business loss limits for joint filers • hiring a spouse and using an HRA via sole prop • enabling HRA with rental management work • stacking QSBS exclusions with smart gifting • real estate professional status and cost segregation • estate planning updates for married wealth Go to prosperalcpa.com/opportunityreport for a personalized video on potential tax savings. Go to http:///www.prosperalcpa.com/apply to explore services and advanced tax planning.

Send us Fan Mail We explain why real estate sits at the core of tax reduction and wealth creation, then show where it falls short and how to stack other tools for a complete plan. From short-term rentals and cost segregation to solar credits, charitable giving, and step-up basis, we map a clear path. • why real estate creates paper losses that offset income • how short-term rentals and REP status unlock broader offsets • accelerated depreciation and cost segregation to front-load deductions • tax-free cash through refinancing and smart leverage • avoiding FICA on rental profits and favoring long-term gains • deferring exits with 1031 exchanges and opportunity zones • using credits and incentives including energy and state programs • step-up in basis for generational wealth planning • when real estate limits apply and how to add credits and giving • holistic sequencing to scale faster and keep taxes low Go to https://www.prosperalcpa.com/opportunityreport to answer a few questions and get a personal video on what may be possible

Send us Fan Mail We unpack why California’s tax system punishes high W‑2 earners with RSUs, then map out a stack of strategies that convert stock-based pain into lasting tax savings. We share how to use charitable deductions, credits, and timing to push your effective rate down. • RSUs as taxable income and cash flow squeeze • California marginal brackets and 13.3 percent top rate • Nonconformity on real estate professional status and bonus depreciation • Excess business loss limits against W‑2 wages • The SALT “sweet spot” between $600k and $500k income • Advanced charitable structures offsetting 30–60 percent of AGI • Solar and other tax credit strategies to reduce federal liability • Withholding adjustments to fund strategies mid‑year • Selling RSUs and pairing gains with losses for liquidity • Why ongoing planning with a strategist compounds savings Go to prosperlcpa.com/opportunityreport for a free customized video from me showing how much you can save

Send us Fan Mail We map a clear path for high W‑2 earners to cut taxes by stacking business losses, targeted charitable deductions, and solar credits. A simple $1.5M case study shows how careful sequencing can drive liability from $450k toward $55k while building long‑term wealth. • 401(k) contribution and plan limits for high earners • Where RSUs, real estate, and oil and gas fit • Excess Business Loss caps and their 2025 reductions • Mortgage interest rules and HELOC tracing considerations • Charitable deductions at 30% to 60% of AGI • How to sequence losses, charity, then credits • Solar investment tax credits and bonus depreciation • Walkthrough of a $1.5M income optimization model • State tax impacts and planning windows • Action steps to engage a tax strategist Go to https://www.prosperalcpa.com/opportunity report and complete the short survey to see what may be possible for your taxes