Most of the income is from base + cash bonus.

I put $20,000 in to convert a bonus room to a master suite in order to get a 3 bedroom rental.

It doesn't necessarily have to cash flow while you're there (that would be a bonus!)

I've recently secured a significant bonus from work which will allow me to pay off some consumer debt (credit cards, collections, etc.) to build better credit and save about $15,000 to begin my investing journey.

Do we / can we use to 179 provision to bonus depreciate the vehicle to cancel out the 60k of income?

With my brother probably not going anywhere, start charging him rent enticing him with the lump sum payout. 

If your automobile depreciation is large, especially when you use first-year bonus depreciation or Section 179 - you may indeed reap a substantial double benefit: major tax deduction for the IRS, and no reduction of your business income for underwriting. 

This year is the last year to obtain 100% bonus depreciation.

Or you can partner up with someone else who has a deal ready to go and who will be handling the management.My key message is focus on a good deal and the 1031 treatment is a bonus. 15% really is a relatively low tax rate.John Corey

If we closed 3 months ago and I wanted to give a bonus because they found a home run for cheap (so they made out okay but not great) how do I go about doing that?