Strength in Numbers with Marcus Crigler

In this episode of the Strength in Numbers podcast, Marcus Crigler continues his tax strategy series by diving into one of the most overlooked ways real estate investors can reduce their tax liability.

Marcus explains the critical difference between capitalizing expenses and deducting them immediately, and why understanding that distinction can have a major impact on both your current tax bill and your long-term wealth-building strategy. He also breaks down several IRS safe harbor rules that may allow investors to write off expenses today rather than depreciate them over decades.

This episode is full of practical examples that will benefit real estate investors. Listen and enjoy the show!

You’ll Learn How To:

• Maximize deductions across your rental portfolio
• Understand the difference between capitalization and expensing
• Use IRS safe harbor rules to write off more expenses
• Reduce future depreciation recapture issues

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(01:31) Strategy number two for reducing 2025 tax liability

(03:36) Getting your rental property deductions maximized

(04:04) Capitalized vs expensed

(05:02) Understanding depreciation recapture

(06:53) Repairs and maintenance deductions matter

(07:11) Three rules in deducting expenses from your rental portfolio

(07:43) The De Minimis Safe Harbor Rule

(08:58) The Routine Maintenance Safe Harbor

(09:35) The Small Taxpayer Safe Harbor Rule

(10:47) How multiple safe harbor rules can work together

(11:29) Real-world examples of expenses that may qualify for immediate deductions

(12:07) How to review your properties for overlooked write-offs

Who This Episode Is For:

• Landlords managing property repairs and turnovers
• Investors preparing their 2025 tax returns
• Real estate entrepreneurs looking to maximize deductions

Why You Should Listen:

In this episode, Marcus walks through practical tax strategies that can help investors maximize deductions, reduce taxable income, and potentially avoid future depreciation recapture issues.

Connect with Marcus Crigler:

• Website: https://beccfo.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler 

Part 1

Today's episode marks the start of a new tax strategy series that will help real estate investors uncover tax-saving opportunities.

Listen as Marcus Crigler breaks down one of the most powerful tax strategies in real estate. He also explains how recent tax law changes have reopened opportunities for investors who purchased property in 2025 and why filing under extension can create valuable planning opportunities.

Enjoy the show!

You’ll Learn How To:

• Use cost segregation to accelerate depreciation deductions
• Take advantage of 100% bonus depreciation
• Reduce your 2025 tax bill
• Determine whether a cost segregation strategy is right for your situation

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(01:48) Introducing the new tax strategy series to save money on your 2025 tax bill

(02:55) How post-year-end tax planning can maximize deductions

(04:58) Understanding the impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill

(06:26) You can decide how you depreciate your properties

(07:50) Accelerated bonus depreciation explained

(09:26) How bonus depreciation works

(10:26) What a cost segregation does

(12:13) How investors can generate large deductions from real estate

(13:26) Cost segregation isn't always the right move every year

(13:57) Who this strategy is best suited for

(14:56) When the strategy may be a mediocre fit

Who This Episode Is For:

• Investors looking to reduce large tax bills
• Property owners interested in cost segregation strategies
• Entrepreneurs who want to build wealth through tax planning

Why You Should Listen:

If you're looking for practical ways to keep more of your money working for you instead of going to taxes, this episode is a great place to start.

Connect with Marcus Crigler:

• Website: https://beccfo.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler 

Most real estate investors think the only way to build wealth is to buy more real estate. Brent Daniels disagrees, and he has paid close to a million dollars in taxes in a single year to prove it.

In this episode of Strength in Numbers, Brent shares how he went from losing everything during the 2008 financial crisis to building multiple successful businesses.

He discusses the lessons he learned from real estate wholesaling, why conversations are the foundation of every successful business, and how he approaches money, taxes, investing, and long-term wealth creation. Brent also shares why he prefers building profitable cash-generating businesses over chasing complicated growth strategies.

You’ll Learn How To:

• Use conversations as the foundation for growing your business
• Build a profitable business without overcomplicating operations
• Develop a simple wealth-building strategy
• Focus on opportunities that generate cash flow faster

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(02:25) How Brent rebuilt his life and business after losing everything

(05:18) Getting into wholesaling real estate

(06:40) The "Talk to People" philosophy

(07:51) Talking to people solve 90% of business problems

(10:42) Why successful entrepreneurs spend more time communicating than most people realize

(14:30) Importance of learning construction in real estate investing

(15:27) The difference between fee income, flips, and long-term investing

(18:20) Brent's perspective on taxes: Earn more than avoid it

(22:25) His simple investment strategy and why he favors the Nasdaq

(24:10) The formula he uses to turn businesses into cash-generating machines

(26:29) How he balances business growth with family life

(30:54) Entrepreneurs should focus on building wealth through simple, repeatable systems

(33:28) Wholesaling as an art of finding good deals

(36:32) Google PPC as one of the most powerful marketing channels in real estate

(40:22) Brent's advice for entrepreneurs: make the call you've been avoiding

(41:20) Connect with Brent Daniels

Who This Episode is For:

• Real estate investors who are looking to simplify the path to success
• Entrepreneurs who are looking to increase profitability
• Anyone interested in building long-term wealth through business ownership

Why You Should Listen:

Brent Daniels offers a refreshing perspective on entrepreneurship. Instead of chasing complicated systems, he focuses on simple principles like talking to people, solving problems, staying profitable, and investing consistently.

Connect with Brent Daniels:

• Website: https://www.talktopeople.com/ 
• Website: https://www.wholesalinginc.com/ 

Connect with Marcus Crigler:

• Website: https://beccfo.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler 

There's a lot of white noise in your financials that doesn't matter for anything. A lot of the time, it is what many CEOs are going after.

In this episode of the Strength in Numbers podcast, Marcus Crigler talks with an entrepreneur and financial expert to talk about the hidden financial traps that many business owners fall into while trying to scale.

Listen as David Phelps shares why understanding your numbers goes far beyond reading financial statements, and why tracking the right KPIs and recognizing the warning signs are important in your business. These and more in this episode, enjoy the show!

You’ll Learn How To:

• Identify the financial “white noise” distracting you
• Use KPIs and dashboards to catch financial problems
• Separate ego-driven decisions from long-term financial freedom
• Understand why scaling can become a dangerous trap

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(01:47) Real estate investors are struggling with hidden financial problems

(04:36) CEOs are being forced back into operations

(08:00) What happens when businesses hit a growth ceiling in their market

(09:56) Maximize existing opportunities in your area

(11:49) The financial reality behind scaling into multiple locations or markets

(13:13) The scaling trap many entrepreneurs fall into

(14:28) Understanding your numbers as the biggest advantage in business

(16:27) Translating financial statements into key numbers as an alert

(18:16) Comparison pushes entrepreneurs into unhealthy growth decisions

(19:52) Ego as the real reason most people start a business

(21:20) Financial freedom and ego are often confused in entrepreneurship

(23:11) The role advisors play in helping business owners

Who This Episode is For:

• Entrepreneurs who are feeling pressure to grow
• Business owners who are struggling with profitability
• Real estate investors who are dealing with financial uncertainty

Why You Should Listen:

This conversation is a reminder that success is not just about scaling but about building a business that supports the life you want. This episode offers a practical and honest perspective that many entrepreneurs need to hear.

Connect with Marcus Crigler:

• Website: https://beccfo.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler 

Why do so many business owners still struggle financially even while making good money?

For today's episode of the Strength in Numbers podcast, Marcus Crigler answers this question while he shares practical advice on bookkeeping, cash flow, hiring, forecasting, and building long-term wealth the right way.

He also explains why financial systems matter and how small mistakes in money management can quietly destroy a growing business.

Listen and enjoy!

You’ll Learn How To:

• Build a financial system that supports business growth
• Use bookkeeping to make smarter decisions
• Forecast cash flow and plan financially
• Avoid common money mistakes high-income entrepreneurs make

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(02:19) The real foundation of a successful business is your books and records

(03:07) The biggest mistake bunch of coaches make in their books

(04:43) The “three-box” wealth-building system

(05:27) Magic in building wealth

(06:50) The importance of forecasting

(09:29) The “3X Rule” to hire safely

(11:25) Reserves matter more than most entrepreneurs realize

(13:31) The importance of accountability even when the business is doing well

(14:17) How to attract clients on a day-to-day basis?

(17:15) The financial systems entrepreneurs need before scaling

(18:19) Marcus’ biggest takeaway from the Coaching Inc event

(20:26) Entrepreneurship can feel lonely without the right community

(22:06) Connect with Marcus Crigler

Who This Episode is For:

• Real estate entrepreneurs who want to scale
• Entrepreneurs scaling past inconsistent income
• Business owners who are struggling with financial systems

Why You Should Listen:

This episode is a strong reminder that making more money doesn’t automatically solve financial problems. Marcus explains why systems, reserves, forecasting, and discipline matter just as much as revenue growth.

Connect with Marcus Crigler:

• Website: https://beccfo.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler 

In this episode of Strength in Numbers, Marcus Crigler and Kaden Hackney break down the growing buzz around the “Kwong refund” and why it could mean significant money back for taxpayers, especially real estate investors.

The discussion centers around a major court ruling involving penalties and interest that the IRS may have been charged illegally during the federally declared COVID-19 disaster period.

Listen as they explain what the ruling means, who could qualify for refunds, and why investors shouldn't wait to take action.

If you've ever paid late filing penalties, late payment penalties, or IRS interest between 2020 and 2023, this episode is for you.

You'll Learn How To:

• Understand what the Kwong court ruling means
• Find out if you may qualify for an IRS refund
• Avoid mistakes when filing refund claims

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

(03:43) Marcus introduces the Kwong court ruling

(04:28) Over $500,000 in potential refunds for clients

(05:34) Tens of millions of taxpayers may qualify for Kwong refunds

(07:38) How one taxpayer challenged the IRS

(10:03) What does IRS Code Section 7508A mean

(12:38) The important timeline for Kwong refunds: January 2020 through July 2023

(14:57) Why real estate investors are more likely to be affected than traditional employees

(16:52) The IRS is not automatically sending refund checks

(17:29) The IRS appeal process and why timing still matters

(18:39) Filing a protective claim for refund helps secure your refund rights

(19:32) Proper filing procedures are critical when dealing with the IRS

(20:24) The July 10, 2026, deadline

(21:45) Your CPA should already be discussing this opportunity with you

(22:55) How their team helps real estate investors review potential claims

Who This Episode is For:

• Real estate investors who may have paid IRS penalties/interest during the COVID period
• Entrepreneurs who want to know their rights regarding the Kwong refund
• Anyone curious if they qualify for refunds

Why You Should Listen:

Marcus and Kaden simplify a complicated tax topic into a practical conversation that helps investors understand the opportunity, the risks, and the next steps for the Kwong refund. If you have ever wondered whether you have overpaid the IRS, this episode gives you a good reason to check.

Connect with Marcus Crigler:

• Website: https://beccfo.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler 

Know more about the Kwong Court Ruling: https://reikwongrefunds.com/ 

In this episode of the Strength in Numbers podcast, Marcus Crigler sits down with real estate investor and entrepreneur Thach Nguyen to talk about what most investors get wrong when building rental portfolios.

Thach shares how he went from selling real estate in Seattle in the early '90s to building a long-term portfolio through BRRRRs, multifamily projects, and ADUs. He also explains why focusing too much on passive income too early can slow people down financially.

If you are trying to build wealth through rentals without getting overleveraged or stuck chasing bad deals, this episode is filled with practical advice and real-world perspective. Listen and enjoy!

You'll Learn How To:

• Build long-term wealth through rentals
• Use active income to buy and hold real estate
• Use ADUs and development strategies to maximize property value
• Manage and evaluate a growing rental portfolio strategically

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

(02:29) How Thach built his Seattle real estate business

(05:27) Choosing real estate investing over other industries

(06:50) From being an agent to becoming a realtor

(08:37) The “make money, save money, invest money” mindset

(09:24) The real difference between earned income and passive income

(11:06) Why Thach believes investors should maximize active income first

(14:07) Relying heavily on syndications can become risky

(17:15) Generational wealth isn't about giving but teaching

(21:58) The biggest challenge investors face today is finding good deals

(25:20) ADUs are becoming one of the biggest opportunities in real estate

(30:00) Adapting and reinventing strategies as market changes

(33:13) How Thach and his wife actively manage and review their portfolio

(36:41) How Springboard to Wealth grew into a nationwide investing community

(40:48) Obsession and deep market knowledge matter in real estate investing

Who This Episode is For:

• Real estate investors building rental portfolios
• Entrepreneurs focused on long-term wealth creation
• Anyone trying to balance active income with passive income goals
• Investors looking for a smarter approach to scaling real estate

Why You Should Listen:

Thach Nguyen keeps the conversation simple, direct, and experience-driven. He discusses what has worked for him over the past 30 years in real estate.

Connect with Thach Nguyen:

• Website: https://springboardtowealth.com/ 

Connect with Marcus Crigler:

• Website: https://beccfo.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler 

Self-storage is both a business and a commercial real estate investment. You can double down on both and make it more passive with the right systems in place.

Joining us in this episode of the Strength in Numbers podcast is a self-storage investor and educator, Bree Hartman, to talk about how she built an $8 million self-storage portfolio starting with one deal she found while pregnant with her daughter.

Bree shares how she went from working a W-2 job and running a gym to buying self-storage facilities using SBA loans, partnerships, and simple operational systems. She also breaks down why self-storage can become a strong monthly cash flow business when you focus on finding underperforming facilities and adding value over time.

This episode gives a practical look into how self-storage investing works. Listen and enjoy!

You'll Learn How To:

• Use SBA loans and partnerships to buy larger assets
• Create recurring monthly cash flow with self-storage units
• Build systems that make self-storage more passive
• Find good storage deals through Google Maps

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

(02:43) If you want to go fast, find a community, and insert yourself

(04:30) Building an $8 million self-storage portfolio in under six years

(05:57) From W-2 job to entrepreneurship

(07:49) Buying a $3.1 million facility while becoming a new mom

(10:06) How to make a self-storage facility a successful model?

(10:40) Utilizing SBA loans to acquire your first storage facility

(12:18) Turning self-storage into a scalable business with systems

(14:06) The truth about “passive income” in self-storage investing

(15:24) The three-part framework and operations for storage facilities

(17:34) Myths surrounding self-storage investing

(19:45) Self-storage works as a subscription-based business

(21:15) The “7-11” strategy for increasing rental income

(24:05) How Bree finds storage deals using Google Maps

(30:20) The importance of learning underwriting and market analysis

(31:11) “A storage owner can’t say yes to an offer they don’t have in their hands.”

(33:23) Deal finding cheat sheet and storage offer calculator

Who This Episode is For:

• Real estate investors who want to move from traditional real estate investing
• Business owners who want to explore self-storage investing
• Anyone who wants to build long-term cash flow

Why You Should Listen:

Bree keeps the conversation practical and straightforward. She explains how self-storage investing really works without making it sound overly complicated.

Connect with Bree Hartman:

• Website: https://www.selfstorageschool.com/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bree.theinvestor/ 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Bree.TheInvestor 
• Get your storage offer calculator by calling 916-579-7209.

Connect with Marcus Crigler:

• Website: https://beccfo.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler 

The people who pay the most in taxes are often those who fail to plan, while those who pay the least are typically those who plan all year long.

In this episode of the Strength in Numbers podcast, Marcus Crigler breaks down the real tax strategies that investors and entrepreneurs use to legally reduce what they owe while building long-term wealth through real estate.

Listen as he explains the difference between depreciation and cost segregation, and the difference between passive and active real estate investing. He also explains why planning is more important than last-minute filing, and how the tax code rewards entrepreneurship and investment.

Enjoy the show!

You’ll Learn How To:

• Use depreciation to reduce taxable income
• Understand the difference between passive and active real estate investing
• Offset passive income with real estate losses
• Use tax planning strategies

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(01:43) How real estate depreciation works

(03:15) The difference between cost segregation and bonus depreciation

(04:53) Understanding passive vs active investing

(06:05) Investing matters more than simply saving money

(07:15) What qualifies someone as a real estate professional

(08:57) Passive investors still receive major tax advantages

(10:08) About Passive Income Generators (PICs)

(11:26) Where to find passive income and losses on your tax return

(12:52) How spouses can use real estate professional status strategically

(14:55) Depreciation is a tax deferral strategy

(17:26) How lower future income can create tax arbitrage opportunities

(18:44) The tax code favors entrepreneurs and investors

(20:28) Why entrepreneurship opens the door to more tax strategies

Who This Episode Is For:

• Real estate investors looking to maximize tax advantages
• Entrepreneurs focused on building long-term wealth
• Anyone interested in reducing taxes legally

Why You Should Listen:

Marcus breaks down how real estate tax benefits work in the real world, why planning matters, and how entrepreneurship and investing can create opportunities that traditional W-2 income simply doesn’t offer.

Connect with Marcus Crigler:

• Website: https://beccfo.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler 

In this episode of the Strength in Numbers podcast, Marcus Crigler continues the conversation on the hidden financial problems that quietly destroy real estate businesses.

Listen as they break down why so many investors stay stuck in the hustle cycle, how expanding too fast creates cash flow problems, and why reserves matter more than revenue. They also talk about today’s “earn it” market, where operators can no longer rely on luck and instead need sharper systems, tighter operations, and stronger financial discipline.

You’ll also hear practical insights on business ratios, forecasting, taxes, cash flow timing, and what separates investors who survive from those who thrive.

Enjoy the show!

You’ll Learn How To:

• Build reserves before scaling your business
• Track the right financial ratios to protect your profits
• Avoid cash flow traps that kill businesses
• Create a stronger business in today’s market

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(01:30) The pattern every entrepreneur goes through

(02:16) Most investors stay stuck in the hustle phase

(03:02) Getting out of the hustle phase

(03:43) The “secure phase” in your business

(04:44) Why expansion becomes easier with reserves in place

(05:06) You grow your expenses with reserves

(06:33) The long-term investment stage that real estate investors want to reach

(07:09) The problem of expanding the business too fast

(09:10) The “earn it” market for investors

(14:47) Why today’s market still creates opportunities for strong operators

(18:14) Better products and smarter upgrades attract buyers faster

(20:50) Lower-priced homes are struggling in today’s market

(23:44) The “wine fridge” strategy explained

(26:13) Studying the buyer instead of running on autopilot

(28:39) Using KPIs and ratios to spot problems early

(30:00) Three distinct expense categories in a business

(32:26) Understanding current ratio and working capital

(34:40) Why forecasting is critical in real estate investing

(36:15) The importance of reserves

(39:32) How tax strategy changes as income grows

(40:34) Bonus depreciation and cost segregation explained

(44:47) A real client story about saving taxes while increasing liquidity

Who This Episode Is For:

• Real estate investors who are trying to improve profitability
• House flippers and operators managing growth
• Entrepreneurs stuck in survival mode
• Business owners who want stronger cash flow and reserves

Why You Should Listen:

This episode is a practical breakdown of what causes financial stress inside growing real estate businesses and how disciplined operators avoid it. Marcus and his guest share real-world strategies around reserves, forecasting, hiring, profitability, and tax planning that can help investors build businesses that survive changing markets.

Connect with Marcus Crigler:

• Website: https://beccfo.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler