If you invest in Houston real estate—single‑family rentals in Katy, duplexes in The Heights, STRs near the Medical Center, or commercial space in The Woodlands—you need a real estate CPA in Houston who understands the market and speaks your language. You want to save money, reduce tax liability, and make sure you file taxes correctly without surprises. That’s exactly what we do.

Who We Help (and how we talk about results)

• Rental property owners & landlords — want clean books, accurate depreciation, and year‑round estimates so they don’t overpay.

• Short‑term rental (STR/Airbnb) hosts — want clarity on material participation rules and how to reduce tax legally.

• Flippers & developers — want entity structure and project‑based accounting dialed in at the right price point.

• Agents, brokers, and property managers — want a system to keep owner draws, commissions, and 1099s buttoned up.

• Oil & gas professionals investing in real estate — want K‑1s and properties coordinated so cash flow and taxes play nice.

What a Houston Real Estate CPA Actually Does (Done Right)

1) Entity Setup & Elections (without guesswork)

We help you make sure the entity choice fits your strategy: single‑member LLC, multi‑member LLC/partnership, S‑corp for active businesses (e.g., flips/agent teams), and when not to use an S‑corp for long‑term holds. We line this up with bank accounts, owner payroll (if applicable), and distributions so taxes and cash flow match the real world.

2) Monthly Accounting + Cleanup

Behind on books or prior filings? That’s normal. Our accounting packages package catches up historical bookkeeping, fixes categorization, rebuilds depreciation, and gets you to a calm, auditable baseline—then keeps it clean monthly.

3) Tax Preparation + Safe‑Harbor Estimates

Annual returns done right, plus quarterly estimates so you’re not writing surprise checks in April. We target safe‑harbor rules, align with your cash flow, and adjust for new doors, sales, or refis.

4) Cost Segregation & Depreciation Strategy

For qualifying properties, cost segregation front‑loads deductions to save money now and smooth cash flow. We coordinate studies, model scenarios, and track carryforwards so you always know what’s left in the tank.

5) Short‑Term Rentals (STR) with Confidence

STR taxes are a different animal. We help host‑operators document material participation, separate personal vs. guest‑use days, and optimize for deductions—without playing risky games.

6) Texas‑Specific Compliance (no state income tax ≠ no rules)

We handle Texas Franchise/Margin Tax where your entity requires it, sales/use when applicable, hotel occupancy nuances for STRs, and local filings. You get a simple compliance calendar and we hit the due dates.

Bottom line: We align entity, books, estimates, and strategy so you reduce tax liability and “make sure” everything ties out—without drama.

Quick Wins Many Houston Investors Miss

• Separate operating vs. capex correctly to protect deductions and basis.

• Track closing costs: allocate to basis vs. current expense accurately.

• Use a cost seg pre‑check before ordering a full study.

• Document STR hours (what counts, what doesn’t) to avoid headaches.

• Revisit entity elections when you flip, scale, or hire—your tax picture can change fast.

Mini Case Examples (for illustration only)

• Rental portfolio, Northwest Houston: Investor with three doors “behind on books” and anxious about penalties.

• STR near NRG/Med Center: Host wanted to “reduce tax” and wasn’t sure if hours counted. We can document material participation, improved expense capture, and clarified estimates—cash flow finally matched reality.

• Small developer in the Heights: Needed entity structure aligned with flips and a future holdco. We can set rules for job costing, review elections, and create a tax‑cash schedule per project.

Results vary.

FAQ — Real Estate CPA Houston

Do I need an LLC or S‑corp for rentals in Texas?
Many Houston landlords hold rentals in an LLC for liability separation and flexibility. S‑corps can make sense for active businesses (e.g., flips or agent teams), but long‑term holds often benefit from partnership or disregarded structures. We’ll map your goals to the right setup.

What is cost segregation and when does it make sense?
Cost seg identifies shorter‑life components (like fixtures or finishes) to accelerate depreciation and save money now. It’s most compelling for higher‑basis properties, new construction, or heavy renovations. We run a pre‑check before ordering a study.

How do short‑term rental taxes work?
STRs can be treated differently than long‑term rentals. Documenting material participation can change how losses and deductions apply. We help you make sure your logs and categorization support your position.

How do you handle estimated taxes so I don’t get surprised?
We build a safe‑harbor estimate plan and update it quarterly as rents, flips, or STR nights change—so cash flow stays predictable.

Can you help if I’m behind on books and filings?
Yes. We have clean up packages that catch up the past and locks in a monthly operating rhythm. It’s designed for “cleanup & compliance rescue.”

I’m in oil & gas but buying rentals—can you coordinate K‑1s and properties?
Absolutely.

Ready to “Make Sure” You’re Set Up to Win?

Joe is  a Certified Public Accountant (C.P.A.) and a Certified Valuation Analyst (C.V.A.). Joe’s professional career in public accounting began in 2012 with one of the “Big 4” international accounting firms. Since 2012, the focus of his professional engagements has been primarily in the area of business t