More than any other investment area, real estate will be radically affected by the Tax Reform Act of 1986. This dramatic new bill will effect property values, rents, cash flows, and rates of return on most real estate investments. In straightforward English, this book reviews the general effects of tax reform on real estate syndications, REITS, home mortgages, home office deductions, leasehold improvements, rehabilitation credit, low-income housing, and more. Chapters show how to evaluate present and future investments with respect to capital gains and losses, passive loss limitations, depreciation write-offs, alternative minimum tax, and other tax traps and opportunities. Complete with easy-to-understand, worked-out examples under both the old laws and the new ones.

This convenient reference tool is designed for real estate investors who wish to maximize their tax benefits through a better understanding of real estate law. Ferguson and Spede thoroughly analyze and explain real estate tax laws, as well as the problems and advantages of purchasing, owning, and selling real estate. Specifically explained and illustrated are such issues as calculating excess investment and interest, installment selling, alternative minimum tax, investment credits, recapture of tax credits, trading properties, leases with options to buy, and the establishment of new bases for trade. In addition, the authors emphasize many of the tax traps and pitfalls encountered by investors, including accelerated depreciation, amortization of expenses, and tax write-offs. Also considered are related topics such as personal property taxes, special tax problems, the rehabilitation of historic and older commercial properties, low income housing, rental cooperatives, condominium units, and home ownership taxation. Finally, there is a discussion of tax reform, including the changes brought about by the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984, as well as the possible effects of the flat tax rate proposed by the Treasury Department in January of 1985. The volume is completely cross-referenced, and includes chapter summaries, case histories, and a glossary, as well as numerous tables and illustrations.