Rental Property Tax Deductions
Own residential rental properties? This article discusses how income from those properties impacts your taxes.
What Constitutes Revenue?
Generally, rental income is defined as any revenue you receive from the occupancy or use of residential property. Rent, obviously, is included in that revenue. Many owners are surprised to learn revenue also includes rent advancements, expenses paid by a tenant and any security deposits not returned to the tenant. In fact, revenue can also include amounts paid to cancel a lease, even if you had to sue the defendant to get it.
Yeah, Yeah, But What Can I Deduct?
Tax deductions associated with rental properties are strikingly similar to those found in any business. Technically, you can deduct any expense reasonably necessary to "manage, conserve or maintain" the property. Obvious deductions include mortgage payments, cleaning expenses, insurance premiums, service payments such as landscape maintenance, repairs, maintenance, etc. Overlooked rental property deductions include:
1. Expenses incurred in finding tenants,
2. Commissions paid to third parties that arrange for tenants,
3. Paying your accountant and/or lawyer,
4. Mileage for driving to and from the property [I said, "No more parties!"]
5. Depreciation of the property,
6. Depreciation of items in the property such as washing machines, furniture, etc.
Imaginary Rent Deduction
A few creative property owners have suggested that they should be able to deduct their customary and standard monthly rent if the property is empty. The argument goes, "If the property is empty, I am not making revenue and should be able to deduct the $1,500 that I am missing out on." At first glance, this almost makes sense. Sadly, it doesn't fly from the perspective of the IRS. Since you are not receiving revenues, your total revenues for the year will be reduced by the loss rent. You can't double dip by deducting the $1,500 from the already reduced yearly revenues. The only things you can deduct are the expenses you incur during this period, and only for so long as you are actively trying to rent the place.
Rental properties are a great investment. Even more so if you stay on top of your taxes.
Richard Chapo is CEO of http://www.businesstaxrecovery.com - Obtaining tax refunds for small businesses by finding overlooked tax deductions and credits through a free tax return review.
MORE RESOURCES:
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Tax Trap #4 -- The Quagmire of Depreciation
If you are a Small Business Owner or Self-Employed Person,
there's one especially lucrative tax break that not only
puts money in your pocket, it also makes the filing of
your business tax return much simpler.What am I talking about? It's called the Section 179
deduction, and if there's one tax break you need to
understand, this is it.
Small Business Tax Deduction - Write-Off Bad Debts
Practically every small business has receivables that it cannot obtain from clients. If your small business doesn't have any such receivables, consider yourself lucky.
How to Check the Status of Your Tax Refund Online
So, you were pleasantly surprised to learn that you are getting a refund on your taxes. Congratulations! The question for most taxpayers expecting a return is, "Where is my refund?"Check Your Refund Status OnlineThe easiest way to check on your refund is to ask the IRS through IRS.
SFR Substitute for Returns: IRS Action on Non-Filers
In the latest Star Wars episode, the evil empire executes a brutal revenge on the Jedi. While the IRS is not an evil empire (and due to the Revenue Reform Act of 1998 not very brutal anymore); it too is executing revenge on those who do not comply with filing their tax returns.
Correspondence From The IRS - Yikes!
It's a moment every person dreads. You pick up the mail and there is an envelope from the IRS.
IRS Statute of Limitations: Do Taxes Ever Expire?
Many Americans believe that an IRS debt is a debt for life and that the tax collector can hound them to the grave. Thankfully, that is not the case and there are statutory time limits on the ability of the IRS to examine and collect taxes.
Failure To Pay Employment Taxes - Penalties
As an employer, you must pay employment taxes if you have employees. Fail to pay and the IRS will rain all over your parade.
Uncle Sam is Ready...Are You? Organizing Tips for Tax Time
Anyone who is closely related to an accountant knows that there are not four, but five seasons in a year: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, and 'Tax Season.' During the other seasons, we accumulate leaves, snow, and mosquito bites.
Anticipating Your IRS Refund Can Cost You Plenty
While accountants are reaching for aspirin, millions of Americans are reaching for some fast cash this tax season. Unfortunately, those who reach for fast cash in the form of a "refund anticipation loan" are getting hit with interest rates and fees that are out of this world.
Employment Taxes - What Are They?
If you have employees, you are responsible for paying a variety of taxes at the federal, state, and local levels. You must also withhold certain taxes from the paychecks of your employees.
What You Need To Know About Taxes If You're Getting Married
It may not be high on the list of wedding planning activities, but there are a few simple steps that can help keep tax issues from interrupting your newly wedded bliss. If you recently married, check out your new tax situation.
Donating Cars To Charity - New Tax Rules
On June 3, 2005, the IRS released guidance on charitable deductions for donated vehicles. The American Jobs Creation Act (AJCA) radically changed the amount of the deduction taxpayers can claim for their donated car.
How to Cut Duty Cost and Increase Profit as an Importer
Import duties continue to be significant elements in the cost of international trade. Yet many companies and businesses still pay more duties than the law requires - which impacts adversely on landed cost and ultimately on business profitability.
The Implications of Income Tax Charge on Estate Planning
OverviewIn the Pre-Budget Report of December 2003 the Chancellor Gordon Brown announced proposals to levy an Income Tax charge from 6th April 2005 in those circumstances where the transferor of an asset retains and interest or continues to benefit from that asset. In the instance of real property, the 'benefit' envisaged is the transferor continuing to reside in the property he/she has allegedly given away.
What to Do If You Can't Pay Your Taxes
The end of tax filing extensions is quickly approaching. What do you do if you can't pay the amounts you owe? You should still file your return by the due date and pay as much as you can.
Keeping Your Own Money - NOT Handing It Over To The Taxman
Most people trying to make a crust online (or offline for that matter) are so focused on doing just that, they ignore taking simple steps to ensure that they hang on to just as much of it as they can. Instead, they hand over large lumps of their hard-earned money in tax, usually in one of two mistaken beliefs.
Car Donation: An Easy Way to Support Your Favorite Charity and Get a Tax Deduction
Most people look forward to getting their tax return, but one of the downsides to filing taxes is that you may find yourself owing the taxman come April 15. What do you do when you realize that you not only owe money, but you owe more than you can pay at the time?The answer is: charitable deductions.
Hurricane Katrina - How To Use Your Business Loss To Get A Refund on 2004 Taxes
With the massive losses caused by Katrina, the economy of the Gulf Coast region is in extremely bad shape. Fortunately, there is a quirk in the tax code that can help you generate a large refund from your 2004 taxes.
IRS Lock-In Letters - What's An Employer To Do?
Employers often ask employees to designate the amount of tax withholdings for paychecks. Occasionally, employees will fail to withhold a sufficient amount in the eyes of the IRS.
Tax Help Secret: Avoiding the Entreprenuers Curse
Your days as an entrepreneur and businessperson are consumed with one primary activity; making money. Whether you think in terms of growing your business, getting the word out there, or some fancy new marketing technique, your days and weeks and months in business are focused on that one group of activities.
|