Posted on

Tax Deductions for Landlords (Part 3)

Landlords can also deduct rental property depreciation…

In part 1 and part 2 of this article, we explained that the services and expenses that you paid for could be included as deductions on your tax return.

In addition to these expenses, you can deduct the depreciation of your rental property.

In other words, you can deduct the “wear and tear” costs of the rental property, including any improvements.

Confused? No worries! Keep reading and we’ll get to the bottom of what depreciation means, and explain what types of improvements you can include on your tax return.

What Does “Depreciation” Mean?

For tax purposes, you can deduct the cost of your property along with any improvements you made to it, in the form of depreciation.

Think of depreciation as a way to recover the costs associated with your rental property.

You won’t deduct the cost of buying or improving your rental property as one large tax deduction. Instead, you’ll spread the costs across the “life” of the property.

The amount you can depreciate is dependent on a variety of factors, such as how long the property (or improvement) will last and what it is. To learn more, visit IRS Publication 527, Residential Rental Property. 

What Qualifies?

Owning a piece of property does not automatically qualify you to deduct it’s depreciation value. To deduct the depreciation of a rental property, the IRS requires that you also meet the following criteria:

  • The property produces income (in other words, you rent it out).
  • The property has a “useful life”, meaning it will eventually wear out, get used up, etc. (For example, a house has a useful life while an unused piece of land you own does not.)
  • The useful life of the property is longer than one year. Continue reading “Tax Deductions for Landlords (Part 3)”
Posted on

Tax Deductions for Landlords (Part 2)

More landlord tax deductions

As a landlord, you know first hand how fast the “little things” really add up.

Filling up the gas tank after traveling to pick up rent checks, fixing a broken window, and replacing a lock  are just a few examples of expenses that total up over time.

The good news it that each of the expenses just mentioned is in fact tax deductible. Yes, even your vehicle mileage.

In part 1 of this article, we explained that the services you paid for could be included as deductible rental expenses. There are other landlord tax deductions you’ll want to include on your tax return.

What other rental expenses can I include as a deduction?

If you earned rental income, as we mentioned, you can deduct the expenses that you paid in relation to:

Posted on

Tax Deductions for Landlords (Part 1)

There are quite a few, often-overlooked expenses that landlords can report as a tax deduction.

If you own rental real estate, you must report the income you earned from this property on your federal tax return. You will also be required to pay tax on your rental income if you made a profit.

First, keep in mind that aside from the monthly payments you receive from your tenants, taxable rental income also includes:

  • advance rent payments
  • security deposits used as a final payment of rent
  • payments for canceling of a lease
  • property or services received in place of money, as rent

So, what’s considered a “rental expense”?

On the plus side, rental properties offer more tax benefits than most investments. In fact, you can deduct a majority of the rental expenses you had during the year. According to the IRS, you can report expenses related to the following:

  1. upkeep & maintenance of the property
  2. conservation & management of the property

Landlord tax deductions also include contract work!

Remember when you forked over thousands to a plumber after your tenant called complaining that the toilet wasn’t flushing?  How about that week the roof collapsed from snowfall and you were forced to track down a roofer?

These (often unexpected) headaches come along with life as a landlord. Fortunately, they are related to the upkeep and maintenance of the property and thus, tax deductible expenses. Continue reading “Tax Deductions for Landlords (Part 1)”