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All Forum Posts by: Logan Allec

Logan Allec has started 69 posts and replied 1233 times.

Post: New Partnership Question

Logan AllecPosted
  • Accountant
  • Los Angeles, CA
  • Posts 1,264
  • Votes 977

I agree with @Mary B.  Definitely seek the services of a reputable attorney who can memorialize the economic agreement between you and your partner.  I have seen many a client get in very bad shape with partners, friend or otherwise, because they did not go through this very important step.

Post: Looking for an Attorney & CPA

Logan AllecPosted
  • Accountant
  • Los Angeles, CA
  • Posts 1,264
  • Votes 977

@Michael Plaks is your man for accounting and tax in Houston.  I would imagine he has references to good attorneys down there too.

Post: Roof Betterment, Restoration or Expense

Logan AllecPosted
  • Accountant
  • Los Angeles, CA
  • Posts 1,264
  • Votes 977

@Christopher Smith, you are correct.  Here are the regultatory examples for your reference:

Example 13. Not a betterment; new roof membrane

M owns a building that it uses for its retail business. Over time, the waterproof membrane (top layer) on the roof of M's building begins to wear, and M began to experience water seepage and leaks throughout its retail premises. To eliminate the problems, a contractor recommends that M put a new rubber membrane on the worn membrane. Accordingly, M pays the contractor to add the new membrane. The new membrane is comparable to the worn membrane when it was originally placed in service by the taxpayer. Under paragraphs (e)(2)(ii) and (j)(2)(ii) of this section, an amount is paid to improve a building unit of property if the amount is paid for a betterment to the building structure or any building system. The roof is part of the building structure under paragraph (e)(2)(ii)(A) of this section. The condition necessitating the expenditure was the normal wear of M's roof. Under paragraph (j)(2)(iv) of this section, to determine whether the amounts are for a betterment, the condition of the building structure after the expenditure must be compared to the condition of the structure when M placed the building into service because M has not previously corrected the effects of normal wear and tear. Under these facts, the amount paid to add the new membrane to the roof is not for a material addition or a material increase in the capacity of the building structure under paragraph (j)(1)(ii) of this section as compared to the condition of the structure when it was placed in service. Moreover, the new membrane is not reasonably expected to materially increase the productivity, efficiency, strength, quality, or output of the building structure under paragraph (j)(1)(iii) of this section as compared to the condition of the building structure when it was placed in service. Therefore, M is not required to treat the amount paid to add the new membrane as a betterment to the building under paragraph (d)(1) or (j) of this section.

Example 15. Not replacement of major component or substantial structural part; roof membrane

L owns a building in which it conducts its retail business. The roof decking over L's building is covered with a waterproof rubber membrane. Over time, the rubber membrane begins to wear, and L begins to experience leaks into its retail premises. However, the building is still functioning in L's business. To eliminate the problems, a contractor recommends that L replace the membrane on the roof with a new rubber membrane. Accordingly, L pays the contractor to strip the original membrane and replace it with a new rubber membrane. The new membrane is comparable to the original membrane but corrects the leakage problems. Under paragraphs (e)(2)(ii) and (k)(2) of this section, an amount is paid to improve a building if the amount is paid to restore the building structure or any building system. The roof, including the membrane, is part of the building structure as defined under paragraph (e)(2)(ii)(A) of this section. Because the entire roof performs a discrete and critical function in the building structure, the roof comprises a major component of the building structure under paragraph (k)(6)(ii)(A) of this section. Although the replacement membrane may aid in the function of the building structure, it does not, by itself, comprise a significant portion of the roof major component under paragraph (k)(6)(ii)(A) of this section. In addition, the replacement membrane does not comprise a substantial structural part of L's building structure under paragraph (k)(6)(ii)(B) of this section. Therefore, L is not required to capitalize the amount paid to replace the membrane as a restoration of the building under paragraph (k)(1)(vi) of this section.

Post: Invest in Southern California or Out of state?

Logan AllecPosted
  • Accountant
  • Los Angeles, CA
  • Posts 1,264
  • Votes 977

@Ricardo Cristobal SoCal can be a tough nut to crack for newbies.

A couple years ago I mailed out lots of letters to homeowners in LA County with no luck.

Then I tried rural Kern County and got a deal from a distressed homeowner in California City.

The margins were not as large as they would've been in LA or OC, but I was able to rent it out for 2 years before fixing it up and selling it for a decent gain.

Also, have you considered an owner-occupied small multifamily for your first deal?

You only need to put 3.5% down, so cashwise it won't get in the way of other real estate goals you may have.

My first deal was a 4-unit up I bought with FHA 3.5% in Santa Clarita.

I lived for free (as opposed to paying rent) + enjoyed cash flow + built equity. It was a great investment (and still is).

Good luck!

Post: Real Estate Lawyers in San Diego/ SoCal area

Logan AllecPosted
  • Accountant
  • Los Angeles, CA
  • Posts 1,264
  • Votes 977

Check with @Katie L..  She's an attorney in San Diego.

Post: Do reinstated S Corp in California still need to pay $800?

Logan AllecPosted
  • Accountant
  • Los Angeles, CA
  • Posts 1,264
  • Votes 977

@Charles Wang Yes, you will have to pay the $800 minimum franchise tax insofar as your S corp does not generate taxable income that would cause your franchise tax to be above $800.  The first-year exception is only for a corporation's "first taxable year."  2017 is not your corporation's "first taxable year" since it did in fact (despite the dissolution) exist in years prior to 2017?

Also, did you file a final-year 2015 1120S?

Also, is this a corporation taxed as an S corp or an LLC taxed as an S corp?

Post: Comparing Renting vs House Hacking By The Numbers

Logan AllecPosted
  • Accountant
  • Los Angeles, CA
  • Posts 1,264
  • Votes 977

@Jeremy Margaritondo, this is very interesting, as an ex-house hacker.  I'd like to discuss it sometime since, even though I'm a numbers guy, I never took pencil to paper (or keyboard to spreadsheet?) and hacked out the numbers.

Post: Best Business Bank Account for REI

Logan AllecPosted
  • Accountant
  • Los Angeles, CA
  • Posts 1,264
  • Votes 977

@Josh Calcanis, the downside is it's an online bank and there aren't really ATMs if you need quick cash.  Also, it's not like you can have a go-to guy or gal at Capital One like you can at a local bank or credit union.  There's no real personal relationship.  But if you're just looking for an account to run business income and expenses through, it's great.

Post: Best Business Bank Account for REI

Logan AllecPosted
  • Accountant
  • Los Angeles, CA
  • Posts 1,264
  • Votes 977

@Josh Calcanis, if you're OK with strictly online banking, check out Capital One Spark Business.  They have no monthly transaction limits, monthly fees, or minimum balances.

Also, I believe that Chase is having a $300 promotion right now on small business accounts, but of course they have monthly requirements to avoid the monthly maintenance fee.

Of course, "best" is subjective and depends on what you're looking for in a bank.

Whatever you do, just make sure you run all your business expenses through your business bank / credit card accounts and stick with it.

Post: Newbie from Southern California ... Los Angeles / Orange County

Logan AllecPosted
  • Accountant
  • Los Angeles, CA
  • Posts 1,264
  • Votes 977

Welcome @Whitney T Redfield

SoCal can be a tough nut to crack for newbies.

A couple years ago I mailed out lots of letters to homeowners in LA County with no luck.

Then I tried rural Kern County and got a deal from a distressed homeowner in California City.

The margins were not as large as they would've been in LA or OC, but I was able to rent it out for 2 years before fixing it up and selling it for a decent gain.

Also, have you considered an owner-occupied small multifamily for your first deal?

You only need to put 3.5% down, so cashwise it won't get in the way of other real estate goals you may have.

My first deal was a 4-unit up I bought with FHA 3.5% in Santa Clarita.

I lived for free (as opposed to paying rent) + enjoyed cash flow + built equity. It was a great investment (and still is).

Good luck!