Join John Skabelund as he discovers how you can reduce your income taxes now with real estate – and increase your wealth and legacy in the future – with his guest, CPA and real estate tax expert, Justin Jensen.
Justin is a Tax Partner of the Morrison, Clark & Company, who has used his extensive, direct experience serving the construction and real estate industries by heading up the Cost Segregation, Research & Development Credits, Opportunity Zone and 1031 Exchange specialties of the firm. Upon graduating from Utah State University in 2001, he spent four years with PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP, where he provided tax preparation and consulting services to privately held companies and their owners. Many of these companies were real estate developers and investors. This led to a position in private industry as the Tax Director of a large real estate company with more than $2 billion in assets. While there he was involved in residential and commercial rental property, real estate development, hospitality businesses (hotels and restaurants) as well as venture companies in various industries.
In this episode, learn real estate tax strategies including for W-2 workers, gain entity structuring tips from the professionals to share with your CPA, and explore the many ways you can proactively take advantage of these benefits now.
John Skabelund is joined by real estate expert Justin Jensen to explore one of the most powerful aspects of real estate investing: tax savings. By covering tools such as accelerated depreciation and smart entity structuring, they show investors how to preserve more income and continue building their portfolios.
This conversation offers insights for both new and experienced real estate investors, highlighting smarter strategies for managing investments and tapping into IRS-approved financial advantages.
Key Topics Covered in This Episode:
Why Real Estate Offers Exceptional Tax Benefits
John and Justin start by discussing why real estate is uniquely positioned for tax savings. With advantages like depreciation and mortgage interest deductions, real estate offers powerful incentives that support ownership and long-term strategy.
“With the right structure, real estate becomes one of the most tax-efficient wealth-building tools available.” — John Skabelund
Accelerated Depreciation Strategies
Justin explains how accelerated depreciation allows investors to front-load deductions by separating short-life assets like appliances, fixtures, and landscaping from the 27.5-year structure depreciation.
They emphasize how a cost segregation study can dramatically improve cash flow in the early years of ownership, a key advantage for active investors.
The Role of Legal Entities
LLCs and other entity structures help separate liability and enable better tax planning. Justin and John discuss:
- When to use LLCs for property ownership
- Common mistakes investors make with single-member LLCs
- How trust layering can protect and simplify ownership
“Most people think about buying real estate, but they don’t think about how they hold it. That can be just as important.” — Justin Jensen
Real-Life Case Examples
Throughout the episode, the hosts share stories of clients who have saved tens of thousands of dollars through proper structuring and tax planning. These real-world insights help listeners understand how to apply these lessons to their own situations.
Why You Should Act Now
Tax laws are constantly evolving. John and Justin urge investors to take action sooner rather than later, especially with bonus depreciation gradually phasing out. Waiting too long could mean missing out on key opportunities.
Who Should Listen
This episode is a must for:
- New and experienced real estate investors
- CPAs and financial advisors
- Business owners using real estate as part of a broader wealth plan
- Anyone looking to cut their tax bill through smart investing
Listen to the Full Episode
Want the full conversation? Watch the video above and discover how to build real estate wealth on a solid legal foundation.
About John Skabelund
John is the founder of Skabelund PLLC, a law firm focused on asset protection, real estate structuring, and long-term estate planning. With a deep understanding of how to layer legal tools for maximum protection and growth, John helps clients move from uncertainty to confidence. Book a call with John to discuss more of your estate planning needs.
Need Help with Real Estate Structuring?
Schedule a confidential strategy call with Justin to review your current holdings and uncover how better legal and tax planning could save you thousands.