Whether you’re buying a home, selling a home or staying right where you are, there’s a wide range of deductions you can take. Some of them are well-known, some less so, and there are a lot of twists, so it pays to review the rules.
The IRS has outlined key home deductions in Publication 530. Below are some key provisions:
Property Taxes—What You Can and Cannot Deduct
You can deduct real estate taxes, whether you pay them directly or through an escrow account. But be careful: not everything that may be called a “tax” is really a tax, according to IRS rules. “An itemized charge for services to specific property or people is not a tax, even if the charge is paid to the taxing authority.” For example, a $5 fee charged for every 1,000 gallons of water you use or $20 per month for trash collection are not taxes and are not deductible.
Home Mortgage Interest
In most cases, all mortgage interest is deductible. But you may find yourself limited if the total mortgage balance is over $1 million or if the mortgage was for reasons other than buying, building or improving a house.
The IRS gives a broad interpretation of interest. In most cases, both late payment penalties and mortgage prepayment penalties are deductible.
Points
Did you recently buy a home? The fees and up-front points you pay your lender may be considered interest. Do be cautious, this is a deduction that will likely not be deductible in a single year but be stretched throughout the life of the loan.
Special Tax Rules for Selling a Home
Homeowners considering selling their home will want to consider the guidance in Publication 523. Those realizing a substantial profit might be worried about taxes, but the IRS grants a nice break.: A couple selling a home gets to exclude $500,000 in profit (it’s $250,000 for a single homeowner).
However, the IRS wants to make sure it really is your main home. Among other conditions, you must have owned the home and used it as your main home during at least two of the last five years before the date of sale.
Many of these rules and provisions come with conditions and exceptions, so it’s wise to read the full rules, and consult a tax professional before making a decision.
Other home related deductions
Working out of your home? Your dedicated home office and related expenses such as a portion of utilities, should all be considered for deductability.
Energy Credits – Certain energy-efficient improvements are elegible for tax credits. Under certain circumstances the following may qualify; energy-efficient skylights, outside doors and windows, insulation systems, and roofs, as well as qualifying central air conditioners, solar powered heat pumps, furnaces, water heaters, and water boilers. A good practice is to check with your tax preparer before installation.
