Amounts paid to acquire or produce a unit of real or personal property include the invoice price, transaction costs as determined under paragraph (f) of this section, and costs for work performed prior to the date that the unit of property is placed in service by the taxpayer (without regard to any applicable convention under section 168(d)). A

I'm not too sure about that, especially with the kind of clowns I've seen put in tile here in da Burgh.I'm sure the tile floors I lay down with my incredibly talented and supremely skilled  two good hands are nothing short of perfect (always 'umble, very 'umble), but about two months ago, we pulled out about 350 square feet on No. 1 three-quarter-inch white oak tongue and groove flooring that I dated to circa 1928.

Not an exact quote from numerous medical studies but more of a synopsis.BTW; just to brag a bit on myself (and say "bite me" to just about every authority figure in my schools, except my Senior year Guidance Counselor, here is a short history of me since '66.Drafted into military, ended up spending 9 years doing that, a couple of combat decorations, started my BS while in service at the urging of my Colonel who told me my talent would always be wasted in government service, finished my BS in about 30 months of starting, despite several extended TDY assignments.Held 5 jobs within the first 3 years after getting out of the service, and had started one company, later sold.10 years later I had 5 rentals and an MBA5 years later I had 10 rentals and had started a second company5 years later I had quit a job after 17 years that was paying pretty da** well, started a partnership (dissolved within 3 years) and had 16 rentals, all paid for, owned my own house free and clear.BTW, despite my stellar 1.3 GPA in high school I had a 3.7 in college and a 3.8 in graduate school.

Additionally, my thinking relative to this particular set of duplexes is that they are all clustered together in the same cul-da-sac, which functions more like an apartment complex, yet you have the flexibility at some point to sell them individually, a few at a time, or as a package deal.  

yell  " TA DA!!!!!"

Based on my reading of the Sonoma County webpage regarding short term rentals, a vacation rental permit seems much more obtainable than in Napa County if the following conditions are met:- Has to be zoned as AR, RR, R1, LC, LEA, DA, or RRD- Have less than 5 guest rooms- Need to pay the Vacation Rental Zoning Permit Fee ($849.00)- A Certified Property Manager is required- And you have to fill out a bunch of formsAs far as I can tell, there isn't a limit on then number of permits that can be issued by the county.

What I'm going through now, reminds me to a memory of my tax prepare, of about 10 years, said to me, "play the game, leave the rest up to me"; in essence, put your money into the system, pay your da*n taxes and I will get you an amazing return.This system worked great, until I wanted to start a REI business.So, have you been swayed one way or the other, claiming a mound of business deductions on your business or personal taxes or just biting the bullet and writing the check? 

As you keep learning more - depending on what you learn/what evidence there may be, consider getting a free consult by an elder law attorney, or going directly to the DA’s office.A word of warning on any legal issue: never make baseless accusations.I am not a lawyer - no legal advice given.

@Ryan Schuler, you (and your Father) really need a trusted Tax Advisor regarding those implications.

You might get some free advice, maybe action, out of your DA!