#106 - Tax Hacks Every Real Estate Investor Should Know with Jason Melillo

Send us Fan MailHow do some real estate investors manage to pay little or even no taxes while staying completely legal? In this episode, Steven Arita talks with Jason Melillo, CPA and co-founder of KBKG, about the tax strategies smart investors use to keep more money in their pockets. With 25+ years of experience and billions saved for clients, Jason explains cost segregation, bonus depreciation, 1031 exchanges, and opportunity zones in a way that’s easy to understand. They also cover the new 2025 tax law changes, what it means to qualify as a real estate professional, and the key questions every investor should ask before joining a syndication. Whether you’re just starting with your first rental or building a large portfolio, this episode gives you practical tips to save money and grow faster.Jason Melillo is a seasoned CPA, entrepreneur, and real estate investor with over 25 years of experience in real estate tax strategy. He is a founding partner of KBKG, a nationally recognized leader in cost segregation and tax credit services. Under his leadership, KBKG has helped real estate owners, investors, and CPAs save over $10 billion in taxes.Jason is widely respected for making complex tax topics simple and actionable. He’s not only a tax expert — he’s also an active real estate investor himself, which gives him a unique perspective that bridges both strategy and real-world application.He and his team specialize in helping real estate professionals and syndicators use tax incentives like cost segregation, bonus depreciation, 1031 exchanges, and opportunity zones to maximize cash flow and legally reduce taxes. Jason is also passionate about educating both CPAs and investors so they can make smarter financial decisions.Connect with Jason:Website: http://kbkg.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonmelillo/Promo Code: PATHCODE2025 for 10% off Residential Cost Segregator at kbkg.comEpisode highlights:(0:00) Intro(1:02) Who is Jason Melillo?(3:04) What is cost segregation, and why does it matter(8:29) When cost seg may not make sense(11:32) Advice for passive investors in syndications(18:03) Why your CPA must understand real estate(19:49) What qualifies as a real estate professional(24:58) How real estate pros can offset all income(29:00) Big tax bill changes in 2025 explained(33:46) What is an opportunity zone & who should use it(40:28) Jason’s biggest advice to new investors(43:05) How to connect with Jason(44:50) Outro—Share this with your tech friends who you think would benefit from learning about passive income and alternative real estate investments. For more resources and guides, check these out:Crack the Code https://www.aritacapital.com/crack-the-code/Investor 101 https://www.aritacapital.com/investor-101-resource/Due Diligence Resource https://www.aritacapital.com/dd-checklist-resource/If you want to learn more, reach out at:Email: [email protected]:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/aritasteven/IG:  https://www.instagram.com/the.real.arita