Hidden Money Podcast

Mike Pine and Kevin Schneider
  • 4.8 (16)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

In the Hidden Money podcast, you'll learn how you can legally use the tax code to your financial advantage. There’s wealth inside the tax code. Taxes aren’t the enemy. Most people hate taxes (and pay more than they should). But when you view taxes only as an evil expense, you miss out on legal ways to grow your wealth. Unlock the secrets to saving tax and building wealth with the Hidden Money Podcast! 🎧💰 Hosted by Mike Pine and Kevin Schneider.

  1. FEB 24

    Short-Term Rental Tax Strategy for W-2 Earners

    If you’re a W-2 earner, you’ve probably heard you must qualify as a “Real Estate Professional” to use rental losses against your income. In this episode, Mike and Kevin break down why that’s not the rule for short-term rentals, and what actually matters instead. We walk through: The 7-day rule (how STRs are defined for tax purposes) Why Real Estate Professional (REP) status doesn’t apply to most STR planning The one lever that does matter: material participation How STRs and long-term rentals are treated differently (and why you can’t “group” them) The documentation/timesheet mindset that keeps this strategy defensible A smart, real-world scenario: using an STR in year one for tax strategy, then transitioning to a long-term rental (without turning it into a taxable event) If you’re considering an Airbnb/VRBO purchase specifically for tax strategy, or you’re trying to understand the difference between REP vs material participation, this one makes it crystal clear. If you want help building a STR tax plan that fits your income, properties, and time constraints, connect with our team at https://www.revotaxpayer.com/

    17 min

  2. FEB 17

    Tax Planning for Rental Properties - It Is Too Late?

    Bought the rentals first and thinking about tax strategy second? You’re not behind. In this episode of the Hidden Money Podcast, CPAs Mike Pine and Kevin Schneider continue the short-term rental series by answering a question they hear constantly: “I already own rentals… did I miss my chance?” They explain why material participation is tested year-by-year, how investors can potentially use cost segregation and catch-up depreciation after the fact, and why many people are unknowingly leaving “chips on the table” even if they’ve owned properties for years. They also tackle the biggest fear around accelerated depreciation, depreciation recapture, and walk through several ways investors plan around it (including 1031 exchanges, tax planning in the year of sale, and opportunity zone strategies). Plus, they break down why high-income W-2 earners may need different timing due to excess business loss limits. If you’ve been told “there’s nothing you can do,” this episode will show you why that answer is often wrong and what to explore next. Schedule a consultation today: RevoTaxpayer.com

    20 min

  3. FEB 10

    Short-Term Rental Tax Loophole: How to Prove Material Participation

    Material participation is the make-or-break rule behind the short-term rental tax strategy... and the first thing the IRS looks at in an audit. In this episode of the Hidden Money Podcast, CPAs Mike Pine and Kevin Schneider explain what “material participation” actually means, why it determines whether STR losses can legally offset W-2 or business income, and how to document your involvement in a way that holds up under scrutiny. They break down the key IRS tests (including the 500-hour safe harbor and the 100-hour “more than anyone else” rule), what counts as participation, and the common mistakes that cause taxpayers to lose the deduction or create bigger problems than they expected. If you’re a short-term rental investor, high-income earner, or business owner using real estate for tax strategy, this episode will help you protect the benefit and stay on the right side of the rules. In this episode, we cover: Why material participation is the cornerstone of STR audit defense The IRS tests that determine active vs. passive treatment How to build proof with time logs, calendars, texts, and emails Why reconstructed or “too perfect” logs can backfire Practical steps to track participation without overcomplicating it Want help building a defensible strategy? Get a free consultation at https://www.revotaxpayer.com/

    25 min

  4. FEB 3

    How to Finance a Short-Term Rental Without 20% Down

    Most short-term rental buyers assume they need 20–25% down and a traditional investment loan. But what if that assumption is costing you deals, cash flow, and tax leverage? In this episode of the Hidden Money Podcast, Mike and Kevin sit down with STR lending expert Jeff Chisum to break down how short-term rental financing really works  including the 10% down second-home loan strategy many investors overlook. They unpack how the right financing structure can dramatically improve cash-on-cash returns, how tax strategy and lending strategy must work together, and why “expensing everything” on your tax return can actually hurt your ability to qualify for future loans. If you’re buying your first Airbnb or scaling a short-term rental portfolio, this episode could change how you think about funding your next property. In this episode, you’ll learn: • How 10% down STR loans work • Second home vs investment property loan differences • Why some CPAs accidentally hurt lending approval • How depreciation affects loan qualification • How smart investors scale STR portfolios Hidden Money isn’t about risky loopholes, it’s about understanding the rules and using them strategically. Learn more about proactive tax strategy at Revotaxpayer.com Subscribe for weekly insights on tax, wealth, and financial strategy

    31 min

  5. JAN 27

    Free Tax Assessment: Find the Gaps in Your Tax Strategy

    Most people pay more tax than they legally owe, not because they’re doing anything wrong, but because they don’t have a real tax strategy. In this episode of the Hidden Money Podcast, CPAs Mike Pine and Kevin Schneider introduce a brand-new tool: a Free Tax Assessment that helps you quickly spot the gaps in your current approach and uncover where you may be leaving money on the table. In about 10 minutes, you’ll answer a simple set of questions (no pressure, “open book” style) and get a clear tax score that highlights your biggest opportunities, whether you’re a W-2 earner, a business owner, or both. You’ll also learn why “meeting your CPA once a year” often leads to missed strategies, and why proactive planning puts you back in control of your results. In this episode, we cover: How to tell if you’re overpaying taxes (and what to do about it) Why a written tax strategy matters more than a verbal plan Key questions that reveal your biggest planning gaps The difference between “tax preparation” and tax strategy How business owners and W-2 earners should think differently Why “AI-built tax plans” can be risky, and how to stay compliant and confident How real estate questions (bonus depreciation, cost segregation, ownership structure) impact your strategy Take the Free Tax Assessment and find your tax saving opportunities at www.revotaxpayer.com/ai-tax-assessment If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I paying too much tax?” this episode is your starting line.

    18 min

  6. JAN 20

    How to Pay Less Tax Legally: 5 Overlooked Tax Strategies

    Want to pay less tax legally without gimmicks or sketchy shortcuts? In this episode of the Hidden Money Podcast, we break down 5 overlooked tax strategies that can put real money back in your pocket, whether you’re a W-2 earner, business owner, or investor. Hundreds of thousands of taxpayers miss out on billions in tax credits simply because they don’t know what to claim. In this episode we walk through practical, real-world moves that clients use to lower taxable income, capture credits, and stop overpaying. Timing strategies - front-loading expenses, prepaying, and “bunching” deductionsEntity structuring - why an LLC isn’t a tax strategy—and what might beTax-advantaged investing - 401(k), IRA, Roth options, HSA, and moreEstimated tax mistakes - how overpaying can cost you money and flexibility....and the #1 overlooked strategy, working with a true tax strategist. If you’ve ever thought “it is what it is” about taxes… this episode is your wake-up call. Follow the show for more tax planning, deductions, credits, and wealth-building strategies hidden in the tax code.Share this episode with someone who’s probably overpaying and visit https://www.revotaxpayer.com/https://www.revotaxpayer.com/ for a free consulation! #TaxPlanning #PayLessTax #TaxStrategies #TaxStrategy #CPA #SmallBusinessTaxes #PersonalFinance

    26 min

  7. JAN 13

    File Taxes Early: Get Your Refund Faster and Avoid Identity Theft

    Want your tax refund faster, and less risk of someone filing in your name? In this episode of Hidden Money, Mike and Kevin break down why filing early (and filing electronically) can put your money back in your pocket in Q1, not months later. They also unpack a growing issue: tax-related identity theft, where fraudsters file a return using your Social Security number before you do then disappear with the refund. You’ll learn simple, practical steps to protect yourself, streamline your document gathering, and make tax season feel less like a scramble. In this episode, we cover: Why filing early + e-filing speeds up refunds The “interest-free loan” you might be giving the government How refund fraud happens (and why procrastination increases risk) A smarter way to gather and send your tax documents One extra protection step: an IRS Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) If you’re tired of the stress, the last-minute chaos, or watching your refund arrive way too late... this one’s for you. Next step: If you want a proactive plan to keep more of what you earn, schedule a consult with the Revo Tax team: https://www.revotaxpayer.com/

    23 min

  8. JAN 6

    The $80,000 Mistake: Why Bad Records Blow Up Your Tax Bill

    Taxes don’t have to feel like a mystery tax you pay for being busy. In this Hidden Money episode, Mike Pine and Kevin Schneider break down why good bookkeeping and clean records aren’t just “admin”... they’re one of the fastest ways to keep more of what you earn. If you’re growing a business but avoiding the “bean counting” until tax time, this conversation is your wake-up call (without the guilt trip). You’ll hear why sloppy books can quietly cost you tens of thousands, how clean records make tax planning possible, and why outsourcing the bookkeeping can be one of the highest-ROI decisions a business owner makes. In this episode, we cover: Why recordkeeping directly impacts how much tax you end up paying The “we don’t even know what you make” problem (and how it kills tax strategy) A simple way to think about bookkeeping: routine maintenance vs. a painful cleanup Why banks and the IRS ask for the same things and what happens when you can’t produce them The real cost of “saving money” by skipping a bookkeeper Want help getting your records in order?Visit revotaxpayer.com or revoyourbooks.com to schedule a consultation. Hidden Money Podcast - practical tax strategy for business owners and high earners who want to keep more of what they make.

    23 min
See All (99)

4.8
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

In the Hidden Money podcast, you'll learn how you can legally use the tax code to your financial advantage. There’s wealth inside the tax code. Taxes aren’t the enemy. Most people hate taxes (and pay more than they should). But when you view taxes only as an evil expense, you miss out on legal ways to grow your wealth. Unlock the secrets to saving tax and building wealth with the Hidden Money Podcast! 🎧💰 Hosted by Mike Pine and Kevin Schneider.

Information

  • Creator
    Mike Pine and Kevin Schneider
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    99
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Mike Pine and Kevin Schneider
  • Show Website
    Hidden Money Podcast

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