Top Ten Real Estate Tax Breaks
Here’s a look at the Top 10 Real Estate Tax Breaks for the homeowner/investor.
Real Estate Tips 1-3
Homeowner Tips 4-6
4. Property Taxes: Property taxes or real estate taxes are fully deductible. Any local city or state property tax refunds reduces your federal property tax deduction by the same amount.
5. Capital Gains Exclusion: Allows married taxpayers who file jointly to keep, tax free, up to $500,000 in profit on the sale of a home used as a principal residence for two of the prior five years. The amount is halved for those filing single or separately
6. Home-Based Business Deduction: Home offices that use a portion of your home exclusively for business could qualify you to deduct a percentage of costs related to that portion. Included are a percentage of your insurance and repair costs, utility bills and depreciation.
Tax Break Tips 7-9
7. Selling Costs and Capital Improvements: When you sell your home, you can reduce your taxable capital gain by the amount of your selling costs, which include real estate commissions, title insurance, legal fees, advertising and inspection fees. Costs typically stemming from decorating or repairs — painting, planting flowers, maintenance — are also selling costs if you complete them within 90 days of your sale and with the intention of making the home more saleable.
8. Moving Costs: To qualify, you must meet certain requirements including, moving within one year of starting your new job, moving 50 miles farther from your old home than your old job was and working full-time at the new job for 39 of 52 weeks following the move. Deductions include travel or transportation costs and expenses for lodging and storing your household goods.
9. Mortgage Tax Credit: Mortgage Credit Certificates (MCCs) allow qualifying low-income, first-time home buyers to take a mortgage interest tax credit of up to 20 percent (the amount varies by jurisdiction) of the mortgage interest payments made on a home.
Finally, Tip 10 and conclusion
10. Energy Tax Credits: The newest home-based tax credits were made possible last year by the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Tax credits of up to $500 in 2006 and 2007 are available for upgrading heating and air conditioning systems, insulations, windows, doors and thermostats, caulking leaks, installing pigmented metal roofs and for otherwise reducing energy waste in your home.
In the end, just like other investments, choosing to invest solely for the tax advantages is rarely the best strategy. However, if you do not own real estate yet, you have to live somewhere, and rent typically just goes down the drain. So, why not, if you can afford it, look to purchase a place you can live?
We hope you found this article about “Top Ten Real Estate Tax Breaks” helpful. If you have questions or need expert tax or family office advice that’s refreshingly objective (we never sell investments), please contact us or visit our Family office page or our website at www.GROCO.com. Unfortunately, we no longer give advice to other tax professionals gratis.
To receive our free newsletter, contact us here.
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for more updates.
Considerately yours,
GROCO, GROCO Tax, GROCO Technology, GROCO Advisory Services, GROCO Consulting Services, GROCO Relationship Services, GROCO Consulting/Advisory Services, GROCO Family Office Wealth, and GROCO Family Office Services.
Alan L. Olsen, CPA, Wikipedia Bio
Proud sponsor of the AD Show.
How to Become a Global Business Leader
Not everyone that wants to become a global business leader is going to reach that goal. That’s because it takes serious commitment, hard work, and a relentless desire to succeed in order to become a successful global business leader. But don’t despair; nothing is impossible if you’re willing to do the work. But you will need to make certain decisions to get there.Don’t be afraid to take chances – taking risks is important, but you don’t want o be reckless. It’s best to take educated risks
Is Bitcoin Ready for Another Surge?
Is Bitcoin Ready for Another Surge? If you’re lucky enough to own a stake in the cryptocurrency Bitcoin, then you’re already aware of it’s extreme volatility. The ultra popular digital currency has experienced massive jumps and slides during the last year, which have seen it reach as high as $19,783 back in December, only to…
How to Start a company with $101
“How can I get my company started if I don’t have any money?” If you are asking this question, you are not alone. The solution is Bootstrapping.Bootstrapping is starting a business with little resources; this includes, money, skills, and a vast array of knowledge. Businesses are starting all around the world and succeeding with very little money. Here are some ideas for you to consider and some guidelines to follow. Reduce cost for things that don’t matter to your customers. The internet has
Looking for a Hotel Outside the Box?
If you’re a regular traveler, then chances are you’ve already been to numerous incredible places. But that doesn’t mean you’ve seen everything there is to see and stayed everywhere there is to stay. In fact, if your travel season is about to get underway then you’re probably looking for some great new places to stay. If you’re tired of all the run-of-the-mill hotels, or maybe you’re just looking for something truly unique, then check out these one-of-a-kind options.Attrap’Reves, Allauch, France