Could a Yacht Be Considered Your Second Home?
They say that a home is where the heart is. However, when it comes to a second home, it can be where your heart is, or just about anywhere else, as far as the IRS is concerned. In fact, not only can a second home be just about anywhere, it can actually be just about any structure, including a yacht or even a sailboat.
That’s right, boats typically count as a second home in the IRS’s book for figuring tax breaks, as long as the boat has cooking, sleeping and toilet amenities. According to the IRS, when it comes to your federal income tax, home mortgage interest is any interest you pay on a loan that is secured by your home. If you itemize your deductions and you own a qualified home with a mortgage you can deduct the interest from that mortgage.
Likewise, for your federal income taxes, you can also deduct taxes on personal property based on the value of that personal property, including any taxes due on a boat. However, you must be using your yacht or other boat for personal use. You don’t even have to stay in the boat or second home anytime during the year in order to claim real estate, property and interest taxes as deductions.
So if you’re considering buying a yacht or you already have one, then make sure you are fully maximizing the tax breaks that could come with it. If you want to make sure you are taking advantage of every tax break possible, then contact GROCO today for help. Just call 1-877-CPA-2006.
Tax Preparation Help: 5 Tax Deduction Myths
Tax Preparation Help: 5 Tax Deduction Myths By Ronn Espy There are a wealth of tax deduction myths, rumors and plain old wives tales during every tax season. Many opt not to get professional tax preparation help and file their own taxes based on misinformation, only to regret it later when the IRS comes calling.…
Is The IRS Above the Law?
Is The IRS Above the Law? By Alan Olsen, CPA, MBA (tax) Managing Partner Greenstein Rogoff Olsen & Co. LLP Have you ever wondered how the IRS truly operates? Have you ever contacted someone from the IRS with a tax problem or question and discovered that the person on the other end of the line…
IRS Updates Procedures for Reopening Closed Cases
IRS Updates Procedures for Reopening Closed Cases IRS issued Rev. Proc. 2005-32 On May 20, 2005, the IRS issued Rev. Proc. 2005-32, which updates procedures for reopening closed examinations under §7605(b) and describes when a case is deemed closed after examination. It also provides a nonexclusive list of contacts and actions by the IRS that…
Year-End Tax Tips For Investments
Year-End Tax Tips For Investments By Glenn Dahlke Yes, its that time of year again, time for every financial column to drum into your head all the year-end investing tax tips. It’s the equivalent of your list to Santa. You either take care of it by year-end or you take your chances. Consider yourself warned.…