By Christopher Miller, MBA

Specialized Wealth Management

June 1, 2026

Real Estate Investors often receive bad advice that sounds like “just sell your property and pay the taxes – it’s only 15%” The following year, during tax time, these investors get a rude awakening in the form of a huge unexpected tax bill. They find out that this “only 15%” isn’t all the taxes owed.

The first thing they missed – “It is Only 15% – Unless…”

The capital gains rate for most Americans is 15%. Those earning adjusted incomes over $613,700, however, will pay 20% Federal tax on their capital gains over that amount (for a married couple filing jointly). Many investors are well below this income threshold; but don’t realize that their gain from the property sale can easily put them above that mark.

For example: Let’s say a married couple owns an apartment building worth $2 million. They bought it for $200,000 in 1995, and it is fully depreciated. They do have a $600,000 loan because they took a loan against the property to buy a second property several years ago. Their annual income is $250,000. Our couple sells their apartment building for $2 million; pays off the $600,000 loan, and puts $1,400,000 in the bank.

The following year, their accountant informs them that they owe $629,065 of additional taxes just from the sale of that property. “What?,” the couple says, “how did that happen? We put 1.4 million in the bank from that sale! How is that ‘only 15%?’”

The answer is that it’s certainly not “only 15%.” But why not? There are four parts to their answer:

Part One: “Only 15%” only applied to a minority of their capital gain. As I mentioned above, the Federal Government charges a 20% capital gains rate to taxpayers with adjusted income over $613,700. (Again, that is the number for married couples filing jointly. If you are single; that number is $545,500.) This applies to all income, however. If you earn $250,000 of annual income, and a $1,800,000 capital gain, that is $2,050,000 of income the way the IRS sees it. Of their $1,800,000 capital gain, the Feds will charge 15% on that first $363,700 ($613,700 limit – $250,000 current income), which equals $54,555. The rest of the capital gain, $1,436,300, ($1,800,000 – $363,700) is charged at 20%, which adds $287,260 to the bill. Thus, the total Federal capital gain tax is $341,815.

Part Two: Accumulated Depreciation – the “Gotcha” Tax. The second part of this couple’s tax bill came from their accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is a great deduction while we own rental real estate. We do, however, need to pay it back when we sell the property. (If we don’t do a 1031 exchange.) The Federal Government charges a 25% tax on depreciation recapture upon a property’s sale. Let’s assume that 75% of their property was depreciable. If a property purchased for $200,000 is 75% depreciable, ($200,000 x 75% = $150,000, then X 25%) the tax due on this portion is $37,500.

I call the accumulated depreciation tax a “Gotcha tax” because it’s one of the most expensive taxes out there – it is paid on money that you saved in the past: not on money you have in your hand today.

Part Three: California State Taxes. The total tax bill so far is $186,758, but we’re not done yet. The state of California puts their own tax on all capital gains, and recapture that it’s residents earn. This rate is 9.3% – and it potentially rises to 13.3% like the income tax rate does! To keep this illustration simple, I’ll use 9.3% on the whole amount, but your actual taxes will be higher. So; the $1,800,000 capital gain plus the $150,000 accumulated depreciation will add ($1,800,000 + $150,000 = $1,950,000, then X 9.3%) $181,350 to the tax tab.

Part Four: Obamacare Tax – another “Gotcha” Tax

People often forget about this one. The “Affordable Care Act” (which made health insurance premiums MUCH more expensive) charges a 3.8% tax on capital gains, dividends and rental income above for married couples filing jointly and reporting above $250,000 of Modified Adjusted Gross Income. Since our example couple earned that before this sale, the Obamacare tax applies to the full $1,800,000 capital gain, adding an additional ($1,800,000 X 3.8%) $68,400 to the total bill.

The Grand Total – Certainly Not “Only 15%”

Total amounts due are A. Capital Gains Taxes: $341,815 to the IRS and $167,400 to California. B. Accumulated Depreciation Taxes: $37,500 to the IRS and $13,950 to California and C. Obamacare tax of $68,400 for a total tax bill of $629,065.

Remember that our investors put $1,400,000 in the bank. After paying the total taxes above ($629,065), they are left with $770,935 of proceeds. That “only 15%” turned out to be 35% of their gain and 45% of their proceeds!

I Invest In Real Estate to Build Wealth for My Future. How Can I Avoid Losing So Much to Taxes?

There is, fortunately, a way to avoid paying these taxes and to keep all of your equity growth and income potential for the rest of your life. The 1031 Exchange makes this all possible. Accountants will remind you that a 1031 exchange only defers the taxes until you sell your replacement property – and they are right. Upon that next sale, however, one can execute another 1031 exchange to defer the taxes again. Many owners will repeat this process for the rest of their lives. When we investors die; the taxes all disappear. Our heirs receive a “stepped up basis:” They could sell everything the day after we die and pay zero tax. (Estate taxes are something different, but let’s assume you’ve planned accordingly for that, too.)

For years, I have described the 1031 exchange as a way to “kick the tax can forward” rather than paying today. By using a “defer, defer, defer, and die” strategy, we can keep all of our equity potentially growing and creating income for us – for life. When we die, the taxes die with us – leaving us to go to “taxpayer heaven.”

If those big tax numbers scare you – and I don’t think anyone isn’t scared of them – then a 1031 exchange could be just what you’re looking for. Call my office toll-free at (877) 313-1868, and I’d be happy to talk with you about it.

Christopher Miller is a Managing Director with Specialized Wealth Management in Tustin, California and specializes in tax-advantaged investments including 1031 replacement properties. Chris’ real estate experience includes work in commercial appraisal, in institutional acquisitions for a national real estate syndicator, and as an advisor helping clients through five hundred and fifty 1031 exchanges. Chris has been featured as an expert in several industry publications and on television and earned an undergraduate business degree and an MBA emphasizing Real Estate Finance from the University of Southern California. Call him toll-free at (877) 313 – 1868.

Securities offered through Emerson Equity LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Emerson Equity LLC and Specialized Wealth Management are not affiliated. All investing involves risk. Always discuss potential investments with your tax and/or investment professional prior to investing.