20% pass through deduction for 2018

[Brian S.]

I own an insurance agency and over the last 13 months I have bought, rehabbed, and rented 5 SFR’s... I actively manage the properties and I run them like a business. I meet/screen prospective tenants, I cut grass, paint, hire contractors, monitor and pay all bills, and I’m working on designing a website for my rental business. Why am I being told I don’t qualify for the 20% pass thru deduction since buy and hold rentals are considered passive investments? I put in more than 750 hours managing this side business?