I finally finished my taxes with 5 days to spare! 

I learned some things about taxes this year. 

1.  If you don't have a regular job with your investments and not giving money to the IRS, you aren't getting money back.  I didn't realize that.  I thought I was stock piling a great tax return by trying to do everything that was RIGHT on my tax return... meaning, getting a lot of deductions.  I didn't realize that if there is nothing to deduct, you aren't getting a refund.  Of course, the good side is... you aren't paying either.

2.  I also learned that doing a lease option as a way to 'buy' a house, isn't a good move on the tax side of things.  But, as my tax accountant told me.. It's not all about getting money BACK on the tax return, it's about making MONEY during the year.  If that is a tool to own the house and cash flow.. by all means, keep lease optioning as a tool to buy houses.  So, I think a happy medium is in order.. buy some houses with bank loans, owner finance when I can and lease option when I can. 

What lessons have you guys learned this year.  My lessons may be "elementary" but this is only my first REAL tax year on investment homes.  Last year, I had a couple.  This year I had 10.  So, big changes.  I am learning as I go and making each year count more than the last!