Paul Lorenzetti (717) 304-9524	RE/MAX of Lebanon County 1518 Cumberland Street Lebanon, PA 17042 (717) 270-8808	Steven Levengood (717) 821-3837

 COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE 

Berks, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon and Surrounding Counties

 

RE/MAX of Lebanon County

Tax Benefits for Landlords

 

Individuals report their rental income and expenses from rental activity on IRS Schedule E.

Are you one of the many landlords who fail to take advantage of all the tax deductions available for owners of rental property? Do you keep poor records or rush to the accountant at the last minute? You could save money each year by being more diligent in your record keeping.  Do you know, or does your accountant tell you or ask you about your rental property expenses. Most accountants, or you, if you file your own return, overlook many deductions.  Rental real estate provides more tax benefits than almost any other investment.  Small landlords have many tax deductions available to them - if you actively manage your property and your adjusted gross income is within IRS guidelines. Combined expenses can total $25,000. Losses over that can be carried ahead to the next tax reporting year.

COMMON DEDUCTIONS:  In each case you should consult your tax advisor.

·        Interest. Mortgage Interest for the investment property. Other interest from Credit Cards related to the Rental Activity. It is a good record keeping practice to have separate personal and business credit cards (for the rental business).

·        Advertising: If you advertise your rental for rent, those costs are deductible.

·        Depreciation: Residential rental property must be depreciated over 27.5 years. For example, if you pay $200,000 for a home, you expense each year is $7272 per year. It is a "paper loss" that shields your income. A typical homeowner does not have this available to them. If you occupy 1/2 or any portion of the home, you deduction is reduced by the proportion you occupy.

·        Professional Fees:  The costs you pay to an attorney for eviction, a management company, engineer, CPA etc are deductible as they relate to the rental.

·        Home office: You can deduct a home office or workshop used to manage your rental property. Your garage may be storage for your tractor to cut the grass or to hold furnishings you supply.  Certain requirements must be met, but are standard.

·        Insurance: Your costs to insure the rental property are deductible.

·        Auto: Your auto expenses are deductible as they relate to your rental business. You may travel back and forth collecting rent, looking at the house, doing yard work etc. Keep records. You may also elect to determine that a portion of the auto is related to the rental activity, the rest personal use. This ratio is used to determine the expenses that are then deductable. You can deduct ordinary and necessary auto and travel expenses related to your rental activities, including 50% of meal expenses incurred while traveling away from home. You generally can either deduct your actual expenses or take the standard mileage rate. You must use actual expenses if you used more than four vehicles simultaneously in your rental activities (as in fleet operations). You cannot use actual expenses for a leased vehicle if you previously used the standard mileage rate for that vehicle.

·        Travel: Portions of a trip to see your far away property may be deductible. Limitations apply.

In addition you may also incur charges for:

• Cleaning and maintenance
• Commissions
• Repairs
• Supplies
• Taxes
• Utilities
• Private mortgage insurance (PMI)
• Landscaping, Snow Removal, Trash Removal
• Amounts paid to employees or independent contractors
• Condo fees

All of which are deductible as they relate to your rental property.