W-2 High income looking for ways to minimizes taxes with Real estate license

[Michelle Sangalang]

Hey BP Team!

Looking for some advice on how to minimize taxes in CA. Here are the facts:

1. High income W-2 ($400k+) earner and would like to keep my job.

2. Own 3 LTR properties all in CA under a Trust.

3. My spouse and I have an S-Corp which she has her General Contractor's license under. No activity though.

A lot of people tell me that I should obtain my Real estate license to convert our rentals from passive to active income, but I don't exactly understand how that will help.

I'm not looking to be an active real estate agent, but was thinking of obtaining my license to become an associate agent to fulfill the hour requirements and just for fun.

Is this the right path? Or is it possible to structure our taxes another way where I don't need my RE license.

Thanks!