Pay Taxes or NOT? How 1031 Exchanges Put You in Control

elling a long-held rental can trigger a surprising tax bill — especially when depreciation recapture kicks in. In this updated article, CPA Scott Ellsworth breaks down why many investors owe far more than expected and how a properly structured 1031 exchange can help you keep your equity working for you. Join us December 13th to learn even more at the Tax Fundamentals Master Class.

Keep More of Your Money

Tax expert and real estate investor Scott Ellsworth is teaching a 1 day master class for us on December 13th. We wanted to give you a bit of a preview, so we are excited to bring you this replay of a recent appearance on Real Life Real Estate Radio where he shared his best advice for year-end tax planning. Take a listen to see what you can still do this year to lower your 2025 tax bill, what's changed with the passing of the Big Beautiful Bill , and what you might not know about if you have not chatted with your CPA in a while.

Scott Ellsworth, both a seasoned CPA and active investor, will walk us through the smartest moves to make before the year ends—what actions still count toward reducing your 2025 tax bill, what’s new under the Big Beautiful Bill, and the important items many investors overlook when they haven’t checked in with their tax pro lately.

Tax Moves Real Estate Investors Miss (Until It’s Too Late)

Photo of CPA and real estate investor Scott Ellsworth, guest instructor for MAREI’s Real Estate Taxes for Smart Investors Master Class, teaching strategies to reduce taxes and keep more profit.

When it comes to real estate investing, it’s not just what you make—it’s what you keep.
Investor and CPA Scott Ellsworth has spent decades helping investors understand how to legally reduce their taxes, structure smarter deals, and avoid IRS surprises.

MAREI Master Class: Real Estate Investor Taxes

Real estate investing brings incredible opportunities—and complex tax rules. In this Master Class, CPA and Tax Advisor Scott Ellsworth breaks down what every investor needs to know about deductions, depreciation, 1031 exchanges, and how different deal types are taxed. Whether you flip, rent, or wholesale, you’ll learn how to keep more of your hard-earned profits and stay out of trouble with the IRS.