Smart Tax Strategies for Assisted Living Investors

1031 exchange for real estate investors assisted living tax deductions real estate tax planning retirement accounts for business owners s-corp vs llc for small business tax strategies for small business owners May 14, 2025

Why Taxes Matter in Your Business

If you're launching or growing an assisted living business, taxes might not be the first thing on your mind. But understanding tax strategies can save you thousands and help you scale faster. The wealthy and experienced investors play by the rules—they just know which rules to use to their advantage.

So today, let’s break down some key tax strategies that can reduce your tax burden and help you keep more of your hard-earned money.

Check out this vide, too; 

1. Hire a Great Accountant

One of the best investments you can make in your business is a qualified accountant. They can:

Optimize your tax strategy and find deductions you didn’t know existed
Help with tax planning to lower your taxable income
Ensure compliance and avoid IRS headaches

👉 Tip: Don’t look for the cheapest accountant—look for the one who understands real estate, business structures, and tax planning for investors.


2. Use Retirement Accounts to Shelter Income

Certain retirement accounts allow you to save for the future while reducing your taxable income today. Consider:

➡️ Solo 401(k) or SEP IRA

  • Shelter more income while saving for retirement

  • Contributions lower your taxable income

  • Tax-free or tax-deferred growth

➡️ Health Savings Account (HSA)

  • Pre-tax contributions reduce your taxable income

  • Funds grow tax-free and can be used for medical expenses

  • Some HSAs allow investment options (stocks, real estate, etc.)

👉 Tip: Work with an accountant or financial advisor to structure these properly.


3. Real Estate Tax Deferral Strategies

If you’re investing in assisted living properties, real estate tax strategies can help you avoid unnecessary taxes.

➡️ 1031 Exchange

  • Sell a property and reinvest in another without paying capital gains taxes

  • Great for growing your real estate portfolio tax-efficiently

➡️ Depreciation Deductions

  • The IRS lets you write off property depreciation over time

  • This lowers your taxable income, even if your property is appreciating in value

👉 Tip: Work with a tax strategist to maximize these deductions.


4. Optimize Your Business Structure

How your business is structured affects your tax bill.

Start with an LLC, then consider an S-Corp election

  • LLCs provide liability protection but still pay self-employment tax

  • S-Corps can reduce self-employment taxes by allowing you to pay yourself a salary + distributions (which are taxed at a lower rate)

👉 Tip: If you're making ~$50K+ in profit, it might be time to switch to an S-Corp (talk to your accountant first, though!).


5. Take Advantage of Business Tax Credits

Many business owners miss out on free tax credits that could save them thousands.

R&D Tax Credit – If you develop a new process or improve operations, you may qualify for tax savings
Employee Retention Credit – If you have W-2 employees, you may get additional tax breaks
Home Office Deduction – If you work from home, part of your rent/mortgage may be deductible

👉 Tip: Keep detailed records and receipts to claim these correctly.


6. Avoid Common Tax Mistakes

Even small tax mistakes can cost you big time. Here are the biggest pitfalls to avoid:

Misclassifying employees as contractors – If you have W-2 employees, they need to be classified properly
Not planning for tax payments – If you owe taxes, set money aside so you’re not caught off guard
Poor record-keeping – Keep receipts, track expenses, and document everything to avoid IRS audits

👉 Tip: Use a payroll service like Gusto to handle employee classifications and tax documents.


Final Thoughts: Plan Now, Save Later

Taxes might not be the most exciting part of your business, but they directly impact your bottom line. By taking advantage of smart tax strategies, you can keep more of your money and reinvest it into growing your assisted living business.

🚀 Want to launch your assisted living business in the next 12 months?

Step 1: Download the Business Plan Checklist to start planning.
Step 2: Apply for the Assisted Living Investing Mastermind for expert coaching.
Step 3: Follow this guide, take action, and bring your vision to life!

Got questions? Drop them in the comments below! ⬇️

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