Note that if you are married filing joint, only the spouse who is qualifying for REPS is able to count their hours.Step 4: Apply the quantitative testsPer Section 469(c)(7)(B), in order to qualify for REPS, you must meet both of the tests below:750-Hour Test: If you materially participate in a real property trade or business, you must spend 750+ hours during the tax year.More Than Half Test: You must spend more than half of your personal service hours in the real property trade or business in which you materially participate.Step 5: Material participation in rental activities Just because you qualify for real estate professional status does not mean that your rental activities are automatically considered non-passive.

This type of company will be married with you through the longevity of the investment so naturally their interests will have to be mutually aligned. 

Filing separately in most cases hurts married couples, tax-wise.

I'm married, have three kids, and I live in an upper-middle class type suburb with the lawn and the white picket fence and it costs so much these days to keep a family there, it makes me worry about the future for my kids. 

We were married over a year ago and I moved into her condo and we put the other condo up as a short term rental. 

I’m married, and my wife and I have a 5-year-old son who keeps us on our toes!

As the saying goes "Date the rate, marry the home" 

Lived in the upstairs unit for 3 years until I got married and bought a house What made you interested in investing in this type of deal?

Convert the Property to a Primary Residence: If you live in the property for at least two of the five years before selling, you may qualify for the primary residence exclusion, which allows you to exclude up to $250,000 of capital gains ($500,000 for married couples) from taxation.4.

Holding EXEMPT (from bankruptcy forfeiture) assets, holding assets in exempt entities (retirement accounts, pensions, IRAs, in some states insurance and annuities), homestead exemption, remote entity protection (LLC, Serial LLC, Corporations, Limited Partnerships,) Asset Protection Trusts, using separation of assets for married individuals (in certain states) charitable remainder trust, etc. can be very effective though can be costly.