What is a cost segregation study?
A cost segregation study is an engineering-based tax analysis that separates the short-lived components of a property — fixtures, equipment, specialty systems, site improvements — from the building itself, so each component depreciates over 5, 7, or 15 years instead of 27.5 or 39 years. The result is larger depreciation deductions in the earliest years of ownership and more cash flow today. The IRS recognizes the methodology in its Cost Segregation Audit Technique Guide (Pub 5653).
How much does a cost segregation study cost?
SegWise publishes starting prices — 10% below the published fees of the national rapid-delivery firms: SegWise Rapid from $855 (questionnaire study for small rentals), SegWise Quick™ from $1,499 (24-hour engineered delivery), and our Full Engineered Study from $2,088 for residential and $2,457+ for commercial properties. Final pricing depends on property size, type, and complexity, and you get a flat quote — typically the same business day — before any work begins. Industry-wide, engineering-based studies commonly run $3,000–$15,000+.
Is a cost segregation study worth it?
For most properties with at least $250K of depreciable basis, yes: first-year tax savings typically run many multiples of the study fee (our case examples range from 10× to 90×), and you can quantify it before you spend a dollar using our free calculator and free written proposal. If the math is thin for your property, we tell you — not every property justifies a study yet.
I bought my property years ago. Is it too late?
No. Studies can be done retroactively to the year you placed the property in service. Missed depreciation from prior years is claimed as a one-time "catch-up" deduction on your current return by filing Form 3115 — you do not amend prior-year returns. Most owners have been on the standard 27.5/39-year schedule, so the catch-up is often the single largest deduction they have ever claimed.
What is SegWise Quick™ and how is it finished in 24 hours?
Quick™ is our AI-accelerated study tier for deadline situations — closings, extensions, and year-end placed-in-service dates. AI pre-classifies components from your closing statement, blueprints, and invoices, then our engineers and CPAs review, correct, and sign the report — within 24 business hours of receiving complete property documents. Every Quick™ study carries the same IRS-defensible methodology and audit-ready documentation as our standard work.
Will cost segregation trigger an IRS audit?
Cost segregation is an IRS-recognized strategy used by millions of property owners, and audit rates follow the quality of the documentation, not the strategy itself. Studies that follow the engineering methodology outlined in the IRS Cost Segregation Audit Technique Guide carry materially less risk — and SegWise includes audit support with every study at no additional charge.