24 Unit Complex - Vacant - Renovating

[Lorraine Brock]

We purchased a 24 unit apartment complex. No renters. We are renovating it. We purchased in 11/18 and had a lot of expenses in 2018 AC, electric, etc. My tax person is saying we can not deduct any of those expenses on our 2018 taxes because we had no tenants but can next year in 2019 when we have tenants. I have never used this person before and wanted to get some feedback. I am tying to avoid Capital Gains tax by off setting it with the improvements we have made in 2018.