Material participation is the make-or-break rule behind the short-term rental tax strategy... and the first thing the IRS looks at in an audit.

In this episode of the Hidden Money Podcast, CPAs Mike Pine and Kevin Schneider explain what “material participation” actually means, why it determines whether STR losses can legally offset W-2 or business income, and how to document your involvement in a way that holds up under scrutiny. They break down the key IRS tests (including the 500-hour safe harbor and the 100-hour “more than anyone else” rule), what counts as participation, and the common mistakes that cause taxpayers to lose the deduction or create bigger problems than they expected.

If you’re a short-term rental investor, high-income earner, or business owner using real estate for tax strategy, this episode will help you protect the benefit and stay on the right side of the rules.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why material participation is the cornerstone of STR audit defense

• The IRS tests that determine active vs. passive treatment

• How to build proof with time logs, calendars, texts, and emails

• Why reconstructed or “too perfect” logs can backfire

• Practical steps to track participation without overcomplicating it

Want help building a defensible strategy? Get a free consultation at https://www.revotaxpayer.com/

Most short-term rental buyers assume they need 20–25% down and a traditional investment loan. But what if that assumption is costing you deals, cash flow, and tax leverage?

In this episode of the Hidden Money Podcast, Mike and Kevin sit down with STR lending expert Jeff Chisum to break down how short-term rental financing really works including the 10% down second-home loan strategy many investors overlook.

They unpack how the right financing structure can dramatically improve cash-on-cash returns, how tax strategy and lending strategy must work together, and why “expensing everything” on your tax return can actually hurt your ability to qualify for future loans.

If you’re buying your first Airbnb or scaling a short-term rental portfolio, this episode could change how you think about funding your next property.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How 10% down STR loans work

• Second home vs investment property loan differences

• Why some CPAs accidentally hurt lending approval

• How depreciation affects loan qualification

• How smart investors scale STR portfolios

Hidden Money isn’t about risky loopholes, it’s about understanding the rules and using them strategically.

Learn more about proactive tax strategy at Revotaxpayer.com Subscribe for weekly insights on tax, wealth, and financial strategy

Most people pay more tax than they legally owe, not because they’re doing anything wrong, but because they don’t have a real tax strategy. In this episode of the Hidden Money Podcast, CPAs Mike Pine and Kevin Schneider introduce a brand-new tool: a Free Tax Assessment that helps you quickly spot the gaps in your current approach and uncover where you may be leaving money on the table.

In about 10 minutes, you’ll answer a simple set of questions (no pressure, “open book” style) and get a clear tax score that highlights your biggest opportunities, whether you’re a W-2 earner, a business owner, or both. You’ll also learn why “meeting your CPA once a year” often leads to missed strategies, and why proactive planning puts you back in control of your results.

In this episode, we cover:

• How to tell if you’re overpaying taxes (and what to do about it)

• Why a written tax strategy matters more than a verbal plan

• Key questions that reveal your biggest planning gaps

• The difference between “tax preparation” and tax strategy

• How business owners and W-2 earners should think differently

• Why “AI-built tax plans” can be risky, and how to stay compliant and confident

• How real estate questions (bonus depreciation, cost segregation, ownership structure) impact your strategy
  

Take the Free Tax Assessment and find your tax saving opportunities at www.revotaxpayer.com/ai-tax-assessment

If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I paying too much tax?” this episode is your starting line.