Rental real estate with active participation loss refers to a specific tax designation that allows real estate investors to offset their rental property losses against their active income. This can offer significant tax benefits and incentivize individuals to invest in real estate properties. Active participation loss is a term used by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to determine if an investor qualifies for this deduction. It implies that the investor plays an active role in managing the rental property, such as making key management decisions, approving tenants, or setting rental terms. This classification is crucial as it differentiates rental activities from passive investments, which have their own set of tax rules. Under the active participation loss rules, investors are allowed to deduct up to $25,000 of rental real estate losses against their active income. However, this deduction begins phasing out once the taxpayer's adjusted gross income (AGI) exceeds $100,000 ($50,000 for married taxpayers filing separately) and completely phases out at $150,000 ($75,000 for married filing separately). It's important to note that this deduction is subject to specific rules and limitations. For example, the taxpayer must have owned at least 10% of the rental property and actively participate in its management for a minimum of 500 hours during the year. Additionally, the deduction cannot result in a taxable income below zero, and it can only be used to offset active income such as wages, self-employment income, or other business income. There are two main types of rental real estate with active participation loss: 1. Residential Rental Properties: This category includes houses, apartments, condos, or any residential property that is rented to tenants. Investors who actively participate in the management of their residential rental properties may be eligible for the active participation loss deduction. 2. Commercial Rental Properties: This category encompasses non-residential properties such as office buildings, retail spaces, warehouses, or industrial properties that are leased out to businesses or organizations. Active investors in commercial real estate can also take advantage of the active participation loss deduction, provided they meet the required criteria. In summary, rental real estate with active participation loss refers to a tax designation that enables investors actively involved in managing their rental properties to offset rental losses against their active income. By actively participating in the management of the property, investors can potentially reduce their tax burden, creating a more favorable investment environment in the real estate market.