In the dynamic world of retail properties, from small boutiques to expansive shopping malls, the diversity of tenant spaces and land improvements represents a largely untapped financial resource. From point-of-sale systems and intricate lighting setups to complex HVAC systems and extensive parking areas, each element within a retail property has its own distinct depreciation timeline.
Utilizing cost segregation offers retail property owners an invaluable financial strategy to maximize tax benefits and optimize cash flow. By doing so, they gain the flexibility to adapt to market trends, reinvest in property enhancements, and continuously improve the consumer experience, thus strengthening their competitive edge in an ever-changing retail landscape.
Retail shopping properties are a diverse sector with a wide range of opportunities for cost segregation. They can be as small as a single-tenant building or as expansive as a regional mall with multiple anchor tenants. With a default 39-year tax life, it’s essential to look for ways to accelerate depreciation to improve cash flow and increase the return on investment. Here’s why these properties are particularly advantageous for cost segregation.
Some retail properties have sprawling parking areas that can host local festivals, while others may have parking structures or offer on-street parking. This diversity impacts the classification and depreciation of land improvements, typically reclassified to a 15-year tax life.
Retail properties often experience high turnover, requiring frequent tenant space reconfigurations. Cost segregation can help retire these improvements correctly, assuming the property owner has a basis in the leasehold improvements. This aspect makes retail properties a prime candidate for more granular depreciation calculations.
Items commonly reclassified to 5-year tax lives include point-of-sales/data cabling, decorative lighting, glued-on finishes, removable millwork, and certain elements of electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems. All of these contribute to opportunities for accelerated depreciation.
The extent of accelerated depreciation—ranging from 10% to 35% of capitalized costs—is influenced by the mix of tenants and the quality of finishes. For instance, a luxury retail space with high-end finishes and electrical systems designed for specialty lighting might fall at the higher end of this range.
Retail shopping properties are a veritable playground for cost segregation specialists. Their diversity, the frequent changes in tenant spaces, and the various components that can be reclassified for quicker depreciation, make these properties excellent candidates for cost segregation studies. Owners of retail properties can thus greatly benefit from these opportunities to enhance their cash flow and overall financial performance.
Cost segregation is a strategic approach for retail shopping property owners looking to optimize their tax benefits and improve their bottom line. By appropriately leveraging this strategy, property owners can significantly enhance their cash flow, ensuring they have the resources to maintain, upgrade, or expand their properties, ultimately maximizing their return on investment. Before embarking on a cost segregation study, it’s advisable to consult with professionals who have experience in both the real estate and tax sectors to ensure compliance and optimization.
"*" indicates required fields
Combined Federal and State R&D tax Credit of over $130,000.
With over 40 years of experience in metal fabrication, this company continues to develop metal fatigue and failure mitigation techniques, serving the aerospace, automotive, biomedical, chemical, defense, energy, fitness, nuclear, oil & gas and rail industries.
Learn More
The main objective of a TPR study is to ensure that a company accurately classifies its costs, distinguishing between capital expenditures and…
Read More →
Properties go through life cycles – whether it’s based on use, age, or market conditions…
Read More →
A Fixed Asset Review is the process of examining and evaluating an organization’s fixed assets to ensure accurate tax reporting…
Read More →
