Short-Term Rental Self-Employment Tax. When Your Airbnb Business Crosses the IRS Line
Most STR hosts pay zero self-employment tax. The moment you add hotel-style services, you trigger 15.3% SE tax on every…
Legal
67 articles
How to Get a DSCR Loan for an Airbnb Property. What Lenders Actually Look For in 2026
DSCR loans for Airbnb properties work differently than standard mortgages. Here is how lenders calculate STR income, what DSCR ratios…
Short-Term Rental Lease Agreements. What Every Host Needs in Their Guest Contract
A practical legal guide for STR hosts on why a separate rental agreement protects you beyond platform terms, the 10…
Vacation Rental Property Depreciation. How STR Investors Calculate and Maximize Their Tax Write-Off
Learn how to calculate and maximize vacation rental property depreciation. Includes worked examples, cost segregation strategy, passive activity loss rules,…
Capital Gains Tax When Selling an Airbnb Property: What STR Investors Need to Know
When you sell an Airbnb property, two separate federal taxes apply: capital gains tax and depreciation recapture. Most STR investors…
How to Use a HELOC or Cash-Out Refinance to Fund Your First Short-Term Rental
The average U.S. homeowner holds roughly $302,000 in home equity. Here is how a HELOC or cash-out refinance can fund…
What to Look for in a Short-Term Rental Purchase Contract: A First-Time Buyer Legal Guide
The standard residential purchase contract misses every clause that protects an STR buyer. Here is what your purchase agreement must…
STR Purchase Due Diligence. What Every Buyer Needs to Check Before Closing on a Short-Term Rental
Before you close on a short-term rental, verify zoning eligibility, HOA restrictions, permit transferability, and purchase agreement protections. A legal…
Schedule E vs. Schedule C for Short-Term Rentals Which Tax Form Do You Actually Need to File?
Understanding Schedule E vs. Schedule C is the most consequential tax filing decision for STR investors. The wrong choice can…
What STR Hosts Owe Guests Who Get Hurt. Liability Insurance Beyond AirCover in 2026
AirCover is not enough. If a guest is injured at your STR, the lawsuit comes against you personally. Here is…
