In response to the devastating destruction of Hurricane Katrina, U.S. Congress passed the Gulf Opportunity Act of 2005. This act created the largest tax incentive in U.S. History, and it applied to homeowners and real estate investors across the regions of Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana, now known as the Gulf Opportunity Zone or GOZone.
The act allows for a 50% bonus depreciation on property acquired after August 25, 2005, and put into service before January 1, 2010. This opportunity is specifically attractive to real estate investors with passive income. They can use passive loss generated by bonus depreciation and offset passive income. In addition, the bonus depreciation can be used to offset capital gains on the resale of the property. The Gulf Opportunity Act offers an amazing opportunity for real estate investments focused on appreciation.