Cost Segregation Services

What is Cost Segregation?

Cost segregation is a strategic technique that allows companies to maximize tax allowances by accelerating depreciation on commercial property. In reality, companies are simply separating personal property from the real property within their real estate.

Personal property is depreciated over a period of 3, 5, 7 or 15 years, while real property is depreciated over a period of up to 39 years. The purpose of conducting a cost segregation analysis is to identify property components and related costs and then reclassify them into their correct category, allowing companies to "catch-up" on previously under-reported depreciation. This can be accomplished without having to amend prior tax returns.

What are the benefits of Cost Segregation?

Major benefits include:

• "Catch-up" depreciation on future tax returns
• Improved after-tax cash flow
• Reduced real property taxes
• Increased investment tax credits
• Increased profits

How does Cost Segregation work?

The IRS has approved six Cost Segregation methods:

• Detailed engineering approach from actual cost records
• Detailed engineering cost estimate approach
• Survey or letter approach
• Residual estimation approach
• Sampling or modeling approach
• Rule of thumb approach

Asset Categories for Cost Segregation

Personal Property - Typically depreciated over a period of 3-15 years using the double declining method. Items in this category may include furniture, carpeting, certain fixtures and fittings and window treatments.

Real Property - Normally depreciated over a period of up to 39 years. Items in this category may include land improvements, buildings and land (details below).

Land Improvements: Normally depreciated over a 15-year period using an accelerated or 150% declining balance method. Items in this category may include sidewalks, fences and docks.

Buildings: Although a building's separate components are considered part of the building itself, it is advantageous to value and depreciate each component separately. For example, if a building component becomes worthless, it can be immediately written off (fully depreciated), e.g. roofing.

Land: The remaining value, not falling into the two real property categories above, is allocated to land.

Through our alliance with CBIZ Valuation Group, RAMI can assist you with your cost segregation needs. For more information contact us today at 617 426 0893 or solution@realassetmgt.com.