Case Study: Cost Segregation Analysis for a Retail Strip Mall in Gillette, WY

Narrative

In 2024, the owners of a retail strip mall in Gillette, WY, undertook strategic tax planning to enhance their investment. The property consists of a single 1-story building encompassing 2,500 square feet. Originally constructed in 2005, the strip mall features 2 tenant spaces designed to cater to a variety of retail businesses.

The building's exterior showcases a blend of wood siding and brick and stone veneer. The interior is well-appointed, featuring amenities such as a TPO roof, aluminum storefront windows and doors, and contemporary lighting fixtures. The property also includes ample parking with concrete paving and curbs.

The owners engaged Engineered Tax Services (ETS) to perform a comprehensive cost segregation study of the property. This study aimed to identify and reclassify specific assets, enabling the acceleration of depreciation and optimizing tax benefits. This case study outlines the cost segregation strategy employed and its significant impact on the financial outlook of the property.

Objective

The primary objective of the cost segregation study was to identify and classify the retail strip mall's assets to optimize the owners' tax savings. By breaking down and reallocating components into shorter depreciation life categories, ETS aimed to provide both immediate and long-term financial benefits through accelerated depreciation.

Methodology

ETS employed a detailed, engineering-based approach, which included:

1. Physical Inspection: conducting a thorough site visit to identify and photograph the property's components
2. Document Review: examining architectural plans, construction documents and accounting records
3. Cost Analysis: applying engineering principles to allocate costs to specific asset classifications
4. Depreciation Calculation: calculating depreciation using IRS-accepted methods such as the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS)

Asset Allocation