Main Street Business
The Main Street Business Podcast, hosted by attorneys Mat Sorensen and Mark J. Kohler, is the go-to resource for entrepreneurs, investors, and business owners who want to build, protect, and manage their wealth. Each episode explores real-world scenarios and offers practical advice on business structuring, tax planning, side hustles, real estate, self-directed retirement accounts, and more.With decades of combined legal and tax experience Mark and Mat make complex financial topics understandable through charismatic discussions and practical education. Their goal is to empower listeners to make smarter legal and financial decisions by turning advanced concepts into clear, actionable strategies for...
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#613 Open Forum — Kids’ Trump Accounts, Real Estate Taxes, and Growing Your Business
<p>In this Open Forum episode of the Main Street Business Podcast, Mark J. Kohler and Mat Sorensen answer real questions from business owners about taxes, investing, and scaling a successful company. From the brand-new “Trump accounts” for kids to real estate tax strategies and smart ways to grow your business, this episode breaks down complex financial topics into practical advice you can actually use.<br/><br/>They explain how parents might use Trump accounts to create long-term wealth for their kids, including a powerful strategy to convert those accounts into Roth IRAs later in life. You’ll also learn key ta...
#612 Bonus Depreciation Explained: The Tax Strategy Everyone Gets Wrong
<p>Are the tax benefits of bonus depreciation and real estate investing really as powerful as they’re advertised? In this episode, Mark J. Kohler and Mat Sorensen break down the truth behind the popular tax strategy that many investors believe will dramatically reduce their taxes. The reality may surprise you.<br/><br/>Using real examples, they explain how depreciation, cost segregation, and passive losses actually work — and why many investors misunderstand how those losses can (or cannot) offset income from a business or W-2 job. You’ll learn the difference between passive and active losses, why many tax pitches exagge...
#611 Real Estate Privacy Under Fire: FinCEN’s New Reporting Rule Explained
<p>Privacy is under attack again — and real estate investors need to pay attention. A new federal rule tied to FinCEN and the Corporate Transparency Act now requires certain residential real estate transfers to file a Real Estate Report disclosing personal information of LLC owners. If you’re transferring property to an LLC, buying with cash, or using creative financing without a bank involved, this could apply to you starting March 1st.</p><p>In this episode of the Main Street Business Podcast, Mark J. Kohler and Mat Sorensen break down exactly when this new reporting requirement is triggered, what info...
#610 Earn Passive Income Through Rental Real Estate Investing (feat. Dustin Heiner)
<p>What if you could build real passive income from rental properties without becoming a landlord glued to your phone? In this episode, Mark J. Kohler interviews real estate investor and educator Dustin Heiner to break down how beginner investors can build a rental real estate business that generates consistent cash flow — without doing all the work themselves.</p><p>Dustin shares how getting laid off pushed him to rethink everything, how he scaled to 30+ single-family homes and nearly 1,000 apartment units, and why most new investors make a critical mistake by buying property first instead of building the business first. Yo...
#609 Should You Contribute to Your Traditional IRA, or Go Roth Instead?
<p>Should you take the tax deduction today… or build tax-free wealth for tomorrow? In this episode of the Main Street Business Podcast, Mark J. Kohler and Mat Sorensen break down the Roth vs. Traditional IRA debate and explain why the “lower tax bracket in retirement” argument doesn’t always hold up in the real world.</p><p>They walk through the math, the mindset, and the long-term strategy behind both options — including inheritance planning, self-directing for higher returns, tax rate uncertainty, flexibility in retirement, and why most entrepreneurs don’t actually earn less in retirement. You’ll also learn how the backdo...
#608 Contrarian Real Estate investing in 2026 with Jamison Manwaring
<p>We challenge the fear cycle around real estate and show why disciplined contrarian buying can work in 2026. We walk through real multifamily distress, market absorption, and why basis and debt terms now matter more than flashy rent growth.<br/><br/>• rates rising and bridge debt resets driving distress in capital stacks<br/>• absorption trends in Phoenix versus oversupply in Austin and Dallas<br/>• why coastal markets improved due to scarce new supply<br/>• buying stabilized, well‑located multifamily at 30–40% discounts<br/>• fixed agency debt and conservative leverage restoring cash flow<br/>• where single‑family rentals struggle against concessions<br/>• submarket selection...
#607 Open Forum — Tax Expert Answers Your Most Difficult Tax & Legal Questions!
<p>Are you making smart tax and legal decisions, or leaving money on the table without realizing it? In this episode of the Main Street Business Podcast, Mark J. Kohler tackles your toughest questions and breaks down real-world tax strategies, asset protection myths, and retirement planning mistakes that business owners and investors face every day.<br/><br/>From selling million-dollar collectibles and avoiding unnecessary taxes, to understanding how S Corporations can impact Social Security benefits later in life, Mark tackles listener questions with practical, no-nonsense advice. You’ll learn why LLCs don’t magically reduce taxes, how charitable remainder trusts real...
#606 Open Forum - Tax Strategies for Small Businesses in 2026
<p>In this Open Forum episode of the Main Street Business Podcast, Mark J. Kohler and Mat Sorensen tackle real-world tax, legal, and business questions straight from small business owners and investors. From S corporations and QBI deductions to rental real estate, asset protection myths, HSAs, and retirement account strategies, this episode cuts through bad advice and explains what actually works under current IRS rules.</p><p>The discussion covers common traps like trying to deduct personal investing as a business, relying on so-called “privacy trusts” for asset protection, and using AI or the IRS hotline for nuanced tax advice. Mark...
#605 The 8-Step Strategic Plan Every Entrepreneur Needs for 2026
<p>Most entrepreneurs set goals every year… and most of them fail to follow through. In this episode of the Main Street Business Podcast, Mark J. Kohler and Mat Sorensen break down their proven, real-world process for building a strategic plan that actually works in 2026 and beyond.</p><p>You’ll learn how to think long-term without burning out short-term, why writing your plan down is non-negotiable, and how to reverse-engineer a 10-year vision into realistic one-year action steps. Mark and Mat walk through their exact eight-step framework, covering SMART goals, realistic capacity checks, quarterly execution, accountability, and why sharing your...
#604 Year-End Equipment Purchases — When They Save Taxes (And When They Don't!)
<p>Buying a new truck or piece of equipment before December 31 can feel like the ultimate year-end tax hack, but this episode breaks down why that decision can either save you thousands or create a painful tax bill you never saw coming. Mark J. Kohler and Mat Sorensen walk through the real math behind deductions, bonus depreciation, basis, and business-use percentages so you don’t fall into the traps many business owners hit when rushing into a purchase for the write-off. If you’ve ever wondered whether you should buy now, wait, or skip the purchase altogether, this conversation gives you...
