To qualify, taxpayers must meet specific criteria demonstrating that they are real estate professionals who materially participate in their rental activities.How to Navigate the Rules:Step 1: Identify your real property trades or businessesHere is a list of activities that are considered to be a real property trade or business:RedevelopmentLeasingConversionConstructionReal property developmentReconstructionOperationRentalBrokerageManagementAcquisitionIf you participate in multiple of these activities, you may be able to combine them making it easier to meet the material participation hour requirements.Step 2: Demonstrate material participation in real property trades or businessesThere are seven tests to determine if you demonstrate material participation.

I could see how it could get up to $16K with materials for a service that large.

Curious to hear the system you'd recommend for tracking material participation?    

Just keep thorough records of your expenses—materials, labor, permits, etc.

I looked at one lot U could build on it but there is only a 5 foot path to haul material in.. :) and they want 300k for it.. 

This can easily be obtained by spending it on materials you will be buying regardless.

We purchased a property in early October and are placing it in service this week (mid November).We had intended to run a cost segregation study and try to accelerate depreciation which we can deduct against our W2 (assuming material participation).However, we have been reading through the IRS guidelines (eg publication 946 on Property Depreciation) and there seems to be the concept of "short year" which would mean that we can only deduct ~1.5/12 of a year's worth of depreciation in 2024.Is this correct or are there any different rules for STRs specifically?

However, if you or your spouse can meet the Real Estate Professional Status (REPS) requirements by working over your w2 hours in real estate and materially participating, the rental losses could offset your active income.

Defaults and Remedies A default exists under this note if (1) Borrower defaults in the payment of this note or in the performance of any obligation in any instrument securing or collateral to this note; (2) (a) Borrower or (b) any other person liable on any part of this note (an "Other Obligated Party") fails to timely pay or perform any obligation or covenant in any written agreement between Lender and Borrower or any Other Obligated Party other than as described in (1) above; (3) any representation in this note or in any other written agreement between Lender and Borrower or any Other Obligated Party is materially false when made; (4) a receiver is appointed for Borrower or an Other Obligated Party or any property on which a lien or security interest is created as security (the "Collateral Security") for any part of this note; (5) any Collateral Security is assigned for the benefit of creditors; (6) a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding is commenced by Borrower, a partnership of which Borrower is a general partner, or an Other Obligated Party; (7) (a) a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding is commenced against Borrower, a partnership of which Borrower is a general partner, or an Other Obligated Party and (b) the proceeding continues without dismissal for sixty days, the party against whom the proceeding is commenced admits the material allegations of the petition against it, or an order for relief is entered; (8) Borrower, a partnership of which Borrower is a general partner, or an Other Obligated Party is terminated, begins to wind up its affairs, or is authorized to terminate or wind up its affairs by its governing body or persons, or any event occurs or condition exists that permits the termination or winding up of the affairs of Borrower, a partnership of which Borrower is a general partner, or an Other Obligated Party; or (9) any Collateral Security is impaired by loss, theft, damage, levy and execution, issuance of an official writ or order of seizure, or destruction, unless it is promptly replaced with collateral security of like kind and quality or restored to its former condition.

With that said, get materials ordered early - especially for kitchens and baths.