Real estate is all about timing, strategy, and smart financial moves so why settle for a CPA who’s just filling out forms? If your accountant isn’t actively helping you build wealth, lower taxes, and protect your investments, it’s time to rethink that relationship.
Too many real estate investors, property managers, and brokers work with CPAs who don’t truly understand the industry. The result? Missed opportunities, unnecessary tax bills, and financial blind spots that could have been avoided with the right advisor.
If any of these five signs sound familiar, you may need a real estate-savvy CPA in Austin, Texas. Someone who doesn’t just file taxes but actually helps you grow your business.
1. You Only Hear from Them Once a Year at Tax Time
A CPA who only reaches out when it’s time to file taxes is not a strategic partner. They’re historians. Real estate requires ongoing tax strategy, not just last-minute filing.
A good real estate CPA will:
- Meet with you quarterly or semi-annually to review your portfolio and tax strategy.
- Help you plan ahead for major transactions like buying or selling property.
- Ensure your business structure and tax elections are set up for maximum savings.
If your CPA isn’t keeping up with your business throughout the year, they’re missing chances to save you money. A CPA firm in Austin, Texas, should be an active financial advisor, not just a tax preparer.
2. They Don’t Understand Property Management Software
If your CPA still asks you to email spreadsheets manually, they’re not keeping up with modern real estate accounting.
Your accountant should be comfortable integrating with:
- AppFolio, Buildium, and Rent Manager for rental property income tracking.
- QuickBooks integrations to simplify bookkeeping.
- Stessa and RealPage for real estate portfolio management.
A CPA who knows these tools can help you automate reporting, track tax-deductible expenses in real-time, and avoid the last-minute scramble before tax season.
A real estate-focused CPA in Austin will make sure you’re not wasting time on manual data entry when you could be scaling your investments.
3. They’ve Never Mentioned Cost Segregation (And You’re Losing Money Because of It)
If you own rental properties and your CPA hasn’t brought up cost segregation, you might be paying far more in taxes than necessary.
What is Cost Segregation?
It’s a tax strategy that allows you to:
- Accelerate depreciation deductions on rental properties.
- Reduce taxable income in the early years of ownership.
- Free up cash flow to reinvest in new properties.
Many CPAs don’t specialize in real estate, so they miss this strategy entirely. An Austin tax accountant with real estate expertise will ensure you’re taking full advantage of every tax-saving tool available.
4. They Don’t Have a Game Plan for Capital Gains Taxes
Selling a property without a capital gains tax strategy is like flipping a house without knowing the ARV. You’re setting yourself up for a financial hit.
A real estate CPA should proactively advise you on:
- 1031 Exchanges to defer capital gains taxes.
- Opportunity Zones that offer tax-free investment growth.
- Installment Sales to spread out your tax liability.
If your CPA only talks about capital gains after the sale is done, you’re paying more in taxes than necessary. A tax advisor in Austin should be guiding you before, during, and after a sale.
5. You’re Flying Blind on Cash Flow and Financial Forecasting
Real estate is a cash flow game but if your CPA isn’t helping you forecast, budget, and plan for taxes, you’re missing critical financial insights.
A real estate-savvy CPA should help you:
- Plan for tax liabilities so you’re not caught off guard.
- Analyze rental income vs. expenses to optimize profitability.
- Structure your real estate holdings for long-term tax efficiency.
If you don’t have clear financial projections for your real estate business, your CPA isn’t doing enough. A CPA firm in Austin, Texas, should help you see the bigger picture, not just file paperwork.
Is It Time to Upgrade Your CPA?
If your CPA isn’t bringing you tax-saving strategies, forecasting cash flow, or providing proactive guidance, you’re losing money and missing key growth opportunities.
At Insogna CPA, we specialize in real estate accounting and tax strategies for investors, brokers, and property managers. We go beyond tax filing. We help you build a tax-efficient, profitable real estate business.
Let’s talk. Schedule a consultation today with an experienced Austin tax accountant and start maximizing your real estate profits.