While this does technically satisfy the requirements on paper, it would never hold up under audit and would be considered evasion/fraud WHEN discovered (not if).

Buy, refinish the floor, spiff up but don't modernize, then trot on down to the Huntington Collection and furnish with quality, durable antiques.The niche market I'd target is rich parents of out of state child actors coming out for auditions.

They may even start an actual audit of your tax return.What about private lenders then?

It falls under the automatic consent procedures, so it does not need approval - it could still be audited though 3.

My thought is that if the IRS audits me, I'm perfectly capable of showing how "Joe Smith" paid my venmo $1K, I transferred it to my personal account, I also have a lease agreement identifying that $1K and Joe Smith's name.

True Joel, but like pulling teeth to get Syndicators to show you their track record, ie actual total returns with breakdowns of distributions + capital appreciation + principal paydown etc, and SEC so loosely governs Real Estate that it's the only investment category that doesn't require standardized return metrics like the 30=day SEC yield on any fixed income product is mandatory, or audited GAAP accounting standards on finacials from public stocks/Reits etc Real estate seems to be still a bit more un-regulated "Wild Wild West" than other parts of the investment economy, but i guess hence the much better returns i've had in real estate, risk = rewards This is why the good sponsors get have audited financials and have a third party verify their track record.

The filthy rich do that in remote areas and go through a company that is very experienced in doing that because it is also one of the most audited things by the IRS.

To minimize audit risk, it’s advisable to choose “Other interest” instead of “Mortgage interest” when reporting.Part 2: Forms 1099-INT from Investors to Private LendersForms 1099-INT Explained: Similar to the interest earned on savings accounts, Form 1099-INT outlines the interest that must be included in taxable income.

In my recent IRS audit, the agent appreciated that point. 

You don't necessarily need a CPA licensed in those states to provide you with tax planning, tax advice or to help prepare your return.licensure for CPA's by states are normally important when you want to provide assurance / auditing related assurance