Most landlords are unaware of the cost deduction they are allowed on their tax payments. These can be very helpful in saving you a buck or two. Here are ten ways you can maximize your profit through the tax deduction

Depreciation

Depreciation of assets can help you with claiming a deduction on your taxes, all you need a bit of knowledge about the assets where depreciation applies.

The asset must be at least a year old for depreciation.
It should be business-related
It should lose its value over a certain period.
These may include appliances, furniture, vehicles, etc.
Depreciation differs from asset to asset depending on its type.

Repairs

You are eligible to deduct costs off tax if you have renovated the rental property in the given tax year. This is because to keep the property maintained; you need repairs. Wall paint, refurbishing or structural repairs are an example of these renovations. These repairs will maintain the property but not add any value to it.

Interest

Interest on assets that are being used for business purposes are also deductible from taxes; these may include loan payment of the business vehicle, mortgage as well as credit cards. You will need documents to prove that these were for business use only.

Home Office

Home office deduction applies when you are using a part of your house for a business purpose the only example a spate room is being used as a boutique or salon. The amount of deduction depends on the area being used.

Travel Expenses

Business-related travels give the landlord to deduct the cost from their tax payments. The daily commute isn’t included in this condition, according to IRS guidelines, they come under personal expense. That leaves toll/parking fee, license fees as well as the interest on the loan for the car.

Entertainment Expenses

You can deduct the expense for when you went to watch a movie; it’s not for personal use but business. If and when you entertain your clients, you can deduct that cost from your tax payment.

An example of this is open hosting open houses and feeding the potential clients.

Legal as well as Professional Fees

Hiring a professional real estate person may also make you eligible for a deduction of cost from tax. These fees include:

Legal fees
Broker fees
Accountant fees
Consultancy as well as audit fees

However, recovering the property, defending the title as well as improving the property’s legal fees are exempted from this list.

Employee Salaries

Landlords can deduct salaries of part-time as well as full-time employees if they are working on any sector of the property. These include contractors as well as handymen.

Taxes

From tax forms to paying the tax advice fee, all can be deducted from tax payments. You can write off the following as well:

Sales tax
Property tax
Real Estate tax
These apply to non-depreciate items only.

Insurance

One of the best deductions that ever happened was the premiums of insurance payments. These include insurance of accident, vehicle, flood, theft, and fire, as well as health insurance for the landlord and his employees. It also covers natural disasters but only partly.

To gain all this benefit, the landlord should always keep all records and date them properly. Without documented proof, you will not be able to apply for any of these.

Common deductions apply to every landlord and his property. But there are exceptions, if you are living in the house and are also renting it out, your case isn’t typical.

Business expenses need to qualify as necessary rather than ordinary.

Every case is different; always gather information before applying for tax deductions.

If you’d like to talk more about property management, or you need help with Everest Property Management, please contact us at Everest Realty.

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