Top Cost Segregation Firms In Ohio For 2027

Dominic Tarn Head Writer - ReVerb

11.12.2026

Last updated: November 12, 2026

The best cost segregation firms in Ohio for 2027 are Duffy+Duffy, Clark Schaefer Hackett and Schneider Downs, followed by Dean Dorton, Engineered Tax Services and KBKG. Duffy+Duffy leads as Ohio’s first dedicated cost segregation firm, Clark Schaefer Hackett for a Cincinnati firm with certified cost segregation professionals, and Schneider Downs for a Columbus office backed by a large regional practice.

Ohio investors own everything from Columbus apartment communities and Cleveland industrial buildings to Cincinnati retail and assisted living across the state. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act made 100% bonus depreciation permanent for qualifying property acquired after January 19, 2025, so reclassified components can often be deducted in the first year on the federal return.

Ohio does not follow federal bonus depreciation in full. As we understand it, Ohio generally requires most of the bonus depreciation to be added back and deducted over the following years, so the state benefit arrives more slowly than the federal one. Ohio’s Commercial Activity Tax also works differently from an income tax. Confirm the treatment with your CPA.

Ohio Cost Segregation Firms At A Glance

Firm	Location	Founded	Specialty	Best For
1. Duffy+Duffy	Westlake, OH	2002	Cost segregation only	Ohio owners of all sizes
2. Clark Schaefer Hackett	Cincinnati, OH	Not published	Ohio CPA firm with certified cost seg staff	Southwest Ohio owners
3. Schneider Downs	Pittsburgh, PA	1956	Regional accounting firm with a cost seg practice	Central Ohio owners
4. Dean Dorton	Lexington, KY (Cincinnati offices)	Not published	Regional accounting firm with Cincinnati offices	Cincinnati area owners
5. Engineered Tax Services	West Palm Beach, FL	2001	Licensed engineering firm for specialty tax	Assisted living and multifamily
6. KBKG	Pasadena, CA (seven US offices)	1999	Tax credits and incentives with engineered studies	Midwest portfolios
7. O’Connor	Houston, TX	Not published	Property tax and cost segregation services	Owners who also appeal taxes
8. Integra Realty Resources	New York, NY (Cleveland, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh offices)	1999	National valuation firm with Cleveland office	Northeast Ohio owners
9. McGuire Sponsel	Indianapolis, IN	2007	Specialty tax partner to CPA firms	Owners whose CPA wants a partner
10. R.E. Cost Seg	Houston, TX	2022	Investor-focused studies at two depths	Rental investors

How We Evaluated These Firms

We looked for firms with Ohio offices or Ohio case studies, engineering depth, and experience with the state’s common property types. We also weighed whether the firm explains how Ohio’s addback affects the benefit.

Rankings are editorial. No firm paid for its position. State tax notes are general information; confirm your situation with a CPA.

Best Cost Segregation Firms In Ohio For 2027

1. Duffy+Duffy — Ohio’s First Dedicated Cost Segregation Firm

Duffy+Duffy was founded in 2002 as the first cost segregation firm in Ohio and is based in Westlake, near Cleveland. It focuses only on cost segregation, with CPAs, estimators and construction engineers on staff.

It gives a flat-fee quote and runs free CPE seminars for accountants in Ohio and nearby states.

Best for: Ohio owners who want a local firm that only does cost segregation.

2. Clark Schaefer Hackett — Certified Cost Segregation Professionals In Cincinnati

Clark Schaefer Hackett is a Cincinnati-based CPA firm with cost segregation specialists certified by the American Society of Cost Segregation Professionals, and it applies the IRS Audit Techniques Guide standards.

As a full CPA firm, it can fold the study into the return and Ohio tax planning.

Best for: Southwest Ohio owners who want a local CPA firm to do the study and the return.

3. Schneider Downs — A Columbus Office Backed By A Large Regional Firm

Schneider Downs offers cost segregation from offices in Pittsburgh, Columbus and McLean, Virginia.

Its Columbus presence suits central Ohio investors who want a regional firm.

Best for: Central Ohio owners who want a regional accounting firm.

4. Dean Dorton — Cincinnati Offices With An Engineering Partner

Dean Dorton has offices in Cincinnati, Blue Ash and West Chester and performs cost segregation with an engineering partner.

It suits Cincinnati area owners who already work with Dean Dorton.

Best for: Cincinnati area owners who want a regional CPA firm.

5. Engineered Tax Services — Published Ohio Assisted Living Studies

Engineered Tax Services publishes Ohio studies, including assisted living facilities in Zanesville and Hilliard.

As a licensed engineering firm, it suits complex Ohio properties.

Best for: Ohio owners of assisted living and complex commercial properties.

6. KBKG — Midwest Depth From A National Specialist

KBKG has offered cost segregation since 1999 and has Midwest leadership with Big Four experience.

It suits owners with properties in Ohio and other states.

Best for: Owners with Midwest portfolios.

7. O’Connor — Ohio Cost Segregation Plus Property Tax Help

O’Connor publishes Ohio cost segregation pages, has prepared more than 10,000 reports, and also handles property tax appeals.

Ohio’s frequent reappraisals make that pairing useful.

Best for: Ohio owners who want a property tax review too.

8. Integra Realty Resources — A Valuation Firm With A Cleveland Office

Integra Realty Resources has offices in Cleveland and across Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and its valuation professionals support cost segregation work.

It suits owners who also need appraisal support.

Best for: Northeast Ohio owners who also need appraisals.

9. McGuire Sponsel — A Midwest Partner To CPA Firms

McGuire Sponsel is based in Indianapolis and partners with CPA firms across the Midwest, conducting on-site inspections.

It suits Ohio owners whose CPA prefers a specialist partner.

Best for: Ohio owners whose CPA wants a specialist partner.

10. R.E. Cost Seg — Investor-Friendly Pricing For Ohio Rentals

R.E. Cost Seg offers a Rapid Report starting at $950 and a Fully Engineered Study, with audit defense included.

It suits Ohio’s many small multifamily and single-family investors.

Best for: Ohio rental investors who want sensible pricing.

How To Choose A Cost Segregation Firm In Ohio

Does The Firm Know Ohio Property?

Ask for studies on properties like yours in Ohio, and whether an engineer will visit.

How Will Ohio Treat The Deduction?

State rules can differ from federal rules. Ask your CPA how the study affects your Ohio return.

Do You Own In More Than One City?

Ohio has three large metros. A firm with offices or engineers in several of them can visit faster.

Is Audit Support Included?

Confirm audit support. See our list of cost segregation firms with audit defense guarantees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Ohio allow bonus depreciation?

Not in full. Ohio generally requires much of the bonus depreciation to be added back and spread over later years. Confirm with your CPA.

Is cost segregation still worth it in Ohio?

Usually yes, because the federal benefit is the largest part and Ohio still allows the depreciation over time.

Do I need a local cost segregation firm?

Not necessarily. National firms work everywhere, but a local engineer can make site visits easier.

Can I do a study on a Ohio property I bought years ago?

Yes. A lookback study lets your CPA catch up missed depreciation with Form 3115. See our list of cost segregation firms for lookback studies.

Conclusion

Duffy+Duffy, Clark Schaefer Hackett and Schneider Downs are the strongest picks for Ohio investors, with Dean Dorton, Engineered Tax Services and KBKG close behind.