My CPA "to increase Net Worth, you must pay taxes"??

[Jason Nazarenko]

Hello BP family!!  I have been reading a ton of books lately just like @Jesse East (Tax strategies for the Savvy Real Estate Investor & Advanced tax strategies...) I have been anxiously awaiting my turn to talk to my local CPA (recommended by many folks around in the town) although I am not convinced he is a CPA that focusses or is savvy on Real Estate Investors and tax strategies to help.  

So here is my Question for all the experts out there, before I go crazy....

This is my first year in Real Estate Investing, I retired from the Army about a year ago, bought my first property before I got out (3 Plex) I live upstairs and have 2 Vacation Rentals below, then bought a single family home (SFH) (rehabbed and staged as another Short-Term Rental (STR)), then bought another SFH and set up as STR, and did this again.... So within the first year, I have a total of 5 Active STR's + a warehouse (small income from renting space out to occupants), and a church (still renovating but had a little income from liquidating some contents). The Way I see I should be able to get down to a very low (if any) tax burden. I have spent tons on rehabs, upkeep, and setting up these spaces.

I have income from Military Retirement, a current W2 job, the Vacation Rentals, cashed out some of my 401K to get going (which I believe is showing as income).  

I have expenses from running all the rentals, all utilities, all upkeep (cleaning + maintenance), furnishings....etc.

I am reaching out to tax strategists now and have an initial call with @jacob peace in a few days. 

Am I crazy for thinking my CPA is not Real Estate Tax Savvy if he is telling me I should plan to pay taxes to grow wealth?  @Natalie Kolodij do you have any input? 

[Alexander Szikla]

Seems like you need a new CPA. Taxes are paid when taxable events occur. 

Selling a property (or stock/bond) creates a capital gain which is a taxable event - but you can increase your net worth without creating a taxable event.

For example, appreciation that is never locked in or refinancing and redeploying are not taxable!