Cost segregation is a commonly used strategic tax planning tool that allows companies and individuals who have constructed, purchased, expanded or remodeled any kind of real estate to increase cash flow by accelerating depreciation deductions and deferring federal and state income taxes.When a property is purchased, not only does it include a building structure, but it also includes all of its interior and exterior components.

So, your CPA is correct in saying that the insurance proceeds won't be taxable assuming they were used to repair or replace the damaged portion of the property.Cost Segregation Study (CSS): A CSS is a tax planning tool that allows you to accelerate depreciation deductions by identifying and reclassifying certain components of your property as shorter-lived assets.

An engineer sent by a cost segregation firm can find a lot MORE components to bonus-depreciate than you can estimate yourself.

So spending the additional money to convert a property in my area is never worth it.I mention this, because if you goal is higher returns on your investment, I would make sure the financials actually align before you even begin to get to the technical components.

Location is one of the key components of owning real estate and given your location the trash may just be something you have to deal with.

My take is that it is a business with a real estate component.

Beyond the underwriting component what exactly is the end goal  here? 

Usual and customary usually refers to outdated but working components, such as old ducts in a house that do not support central air well for lack of returns.

The tax advantages of buying/holding gas stations are pretty great.Many of the components of gas stations including pumps, tanks, external parking areas, and other equipment are classified as either 5 or 15 year property so you can bonus depreciate a lot of it (minus the land value) and get significant deductions in year 1.With the current bonus depreciation rate at 60%, a $1 million gas station acquisition could still lead to $100K+ in year 1 deductions depending on the specifics of your deal.

Assets identified in this study include:Building systems: water heater, electrical distribution, HVAC, plumbinPermanent Fixtures: windows, doors, bathroom fixturesStructural Components: Roof construction, drywall, wood framingInterior Construction: Wood flooring, stairs, ceramic tileThis engineering-based cost segregation study included the following methodology:Physical Inspection through a site visitDocumentation review including architectural plans, accounting records and construction documentsA cost analysis which utilizes engineering principles in order to allocate costs to their applicable asset classificationsCalculation of the depreciation schedule using MACRSAs a reminder, bonus depreciation started to phase out in 2023.