Cost Segregation
Accelerate Depreciation. Reduce Taxes. Increase Cash Flow.
At Centiv, we make it simple, accessible, and audit-ready — for anyone who owns, builds, or invests in real estate.
Cost segregation one of the most powerful and IRS-compliant tax strategies available to real estate owners, has just gotten better with the return of 100% bonus depreciation. That means every asset identified as short-life property is fully expensed in the first year. Many investors and business owners don’t fully understand it, or assume it’s only for large businesses. At Centiv, we make it accessible, accurate, and audit-ready for everyone who builds, owns, or invests in real estate.
What Is Cost Segregation
We help you depreciation your property the smart way
Cost segregation is a tax strategy that allows property owners to accelerate depreciation deductions by identifying and reclassifying components of a building that can be depreciated over shorter periods (5, 7, or 15 years instead of 27.5 or 39 years).
Instead of treating your entire building as a single long-term asset, we break it into parts — such as flooring, lighting, electrical systems, equipment, and landscaping — that qualify for faster depreciation or even full first-year expensing under current tax law.
The Result:

Lower taxable income

Significant first-year tax savings

Improved cash flow

Higher ROI on your real estate investments
Who Should Consider Cost Segregation?
Is Cost Segregation Right for You?
If You Own Property, There’s a Good Chance the Answer Is Yes.
Cost segregation is an ideal strategy for a wide range of property owners and investors, including real estate investors who own residential rental properties, multifamily units, or short-term rental portfolios like Airbnb; commercial property owners with assets such as warehouses, office buildings, medical or dental clinics, and retail spaces; developers involved in new construction or renovation projects that they intend to hold; and business owners who own their office, clinic, or facility.
If you’ve purchased, built, or improved a property, there’s a strong likelihood that you qualify for the significant tax benefits that cost segregation can offer.
When Is the Best Time to Do a Cost Segregation Study?
Cost segregation can be done retroactively — but timing it right can unlock even more value
- Immediately after purchasing a property
- Following a renovation or major capital improvement
- After constructing a new building
- Within the first few years of placing a property in service
- When filing a tax return with significant income to offset
What Can Be Reclassified?
We identify and separate short-life assets such as:

Flooring and carpeting

Lighting systems

HVAC components

Cabinetry and countertops

Specialty plumbing

Landscaping and exterior assets

Site improvements

Signage and mechanical equipment
Why Work With Centiv?
Our leadership is PwC-trained and IRS-savvy.
We go beyond spreadsheets with real field work and 3D modeling.
Built to withstand IRS review with confidence.
We work directly with your CPA or financial team to ensure seamless integration.
Included with every project, no additional cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your question isn’t covered here, reach out — we’re glad to help and make cost segregation clear
Is cost segregation legal?
Yes. Cost segregation is a tax strategy fully recognized by the IRS. Our studies follow guidelines laid out in IRS publications and are supported with engineering-based analysis and appropriate documentation.
Can I do a cost segregation study on a property I’ve already owned for a few years?
Yes. You can “catch up” missed depreciation in the current year by filing Form 3115 (Change in Accounting Method), without needing to amend prior tax returns.
What types of properties qualify?
Any income-producing property or owner-occupied commercial real estate may qualify. This includes rental homes, apartment buildings, offices, warehouses, retail space, medical clinics, hotels, and more.
What does a cost segregation study cost?
Our fees vary based on property size and complexity, but the average ROI is 35:1. We always begin with a free feasibility analysis so you can see the potential benefit before committing.