they're guidelines iin place for reform, but most lenders dont follow it. 

Note that this case was enacted before the passive activity rules were enacted in the 1986 tax reform bill and likewise before the 1993 creation of the real estate professional designation.But at the end of the day, if you're looking for primary authority in the code or regs saying, "You don't need to be a real estate professional to claim the home office deduction for rental activities," you're not going to find it.Your best bet would be to challenge the CPA as to why he believes the real estate professional designation is necessary. 

when you flipping houses yes its ordinary income and if your self employed there is some sei tax or maybe that went a way with tax reform.. but yes you get taxed at what ever rate your income is.

I'm a reformed tourer, so always liked the live guys - ABB, Santana, etc. 

Before tax reform, you could deduct interest on HELCO loan no matter how you used the fund. ( for eg you could use that money for rental or personal expenses )For example, interest on a home equity loan used to build an addition to an existing home is typically deductible, while interest on the same loan used to pay personal living expenses—such as credit card debts—is not.Using the loan for a Rental activity does not qualify for interest deduction in your Schedule A as an itemized deduction.  

The tax is no longer that scary thanks to recent tax reform.

If you listened to the newest Podcast about how the tax reform affects real estate investors (if not here's the link):https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/biggerpockets-podcast-269-how-the-new-tax-code-affects-your-real-estate-investments-with-amanda-han-and-brandon-hall/

@Mark BroganThe IRS tax reform made many updates to the "entertainment" portion of meals and entertainment.In years past - you can take employees, contractors for a meal and deduct it so long as business was discussed during before or after the meal.Now that is disallowed starting in 2018.There are some workarounds but its harder to do it with contractors.

It seems because the new 2018 Tax Reform laws are so new I can't seem to find real answers.

I recommend checking out Wholesale Reformation.