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.
U.S. Income Tax Issues for Resident & Nonresident Aliens
U.S. Income Tax Issues for Resident & Nonresident Aliens Part 2: United States Tax Laws – A Perspective for Foreign Companies and Individuals Doing Business or Living in the United States Determining U.S. residency status There are two basic tests to determine the U.S. residency of alien individuals: the green card test, and the substantial…
Appendices
Appendices United States Tax Laws – A Perspective for Foreign Companies and Individuals Doing Business or Living in the United States Appendices Flowchart for determining residency status Copies of forms 1001, 1040, 1040NR, 1042, 1042S, 5471, 5472, 8300 and TD F 90-22.1 Appendix 2 Forms 1001- Ownership, Exemption, or Reduced Rate Certificate 1040 US Individual…
Self Employed Refinancing Problems – What Can Business Owners Expect?
Self Employed Refinancing Problems – What Can Business Owners Expect? By Tristan Hunt Self Employed Borrowers at Greatest Risk of Foreclosure It’s a hot topic. Millions of self-employed borrowers who purchased or refinanced a home in the past 5 years under liberal “stated income” or “no documentation” mortgage programs are finding they cannot qualify to…
The Importance of Life Insurance in Estate Planning
Life Insurance for Estate Planning As part of the estate planning process, you may talk to any number of advisors—from lawyers, accountants and trust officers, to financial and retirement planners. These advisors often provide not only valuable services, but also may be in the business of selling investments, annuities and insurance. You will need to…