Needing a second opinion on my $51k tax obligation

[Rob Pattison]

I bought a house in Costa Rica, using partially money from my 401k through a covid distribution, which meant I escaped the 10% penalty but still am liable for income tax.

I'm 59, and took out approximately $200k.  This house is on the beach and will serve as a retirement home as well as an airbnb rental.

Per my CPA's advice, I was able to deduct all my travel to Costa Rica, and hotels, since this house is within a corporation and I intend mostly at this point in my life to rent via airbnb the house, staying there for about 1 week every 90 days to work, do additional rehab/improvements and catch waves with my surfboard.

My CPA initially calculated a tax obligation of $51k, which I thought was too high.  His explanation was that he "was not equipped" to take all my deductions that year, and instead amortized them over many years.

The next day I sent him an email offering to pay more for his time to sharpen his pencil.   He then came up with an obligation of $24k, much better, but still not where I think it should be..........more like under $10k.

Does anyone have a referral to an professional CPA who deals with Real Estate and is aggressive in coming up with the lowest, legal tax obligation for their clients?    I live in the south bay area of Los Angeles, near the ocean.

[Michael Plaks]

Quote from @Zachary Hawkins:

@Rob Pattison I hired 2 CPAs this year and will go with the better of the two. Maybe you try a couple. Worst case you are out a $600 tax write off, but at least you know. Better odds than blackjack...

If you hired $600 CPAs, you were not choosing from the top shelf  ;)