Rental deductions & W2 income

[Jason Miller]

My wife and I own 3 rental properties and our primary house. We both have W2 jobs and gross about $130k together. We are not real estate professionals.

My CPA says it’s best for us to take the standard deduction despite our expenses from rental properties and repairs/Reno greatly exceed the married standard deduction.

My CPA explained to me this is because our rental deductions only apply to our rental income and does not reduce our W2 taxable income. I feel like this isn’t correct since it’s taxed as ordinary income right?

Am I missing something?

Thanks!!

Jason