Tax Breaks You Should be Getting as a Homeowner

It’s no secret that we’re all experiencing higher costs and the impact of rising inflation on our pocketbooks.

The good news is that the recent Inflation Reduction Act includes some adjustments that can help tax payers save more money for the 2023 tax year.

You’ll be able to keep more of you income with the new tax rate schedules, which raise the income thresholds for tax brackets. And it gets even better since the IRS also increased the the standard deduction for married couples and those filing individually — the largest adjustments to deductions since 1985.

I’m a real estate agent not a CPA, so why am I talking about taxes? Good question!

It’s because you should know about the tax advantages of becoming a homeowner — and to stay abreast of any recent tax changes that can impact you.

Homeowner Tax Breaks

As a homeowner, you can save even more on your taxes and help you keep even more of your hard-earned income. Whether it’s deductions or tax credits, you have the opportunity to keep more money in your pocket when you own a home.

Let’s take a look at some of the general tax perks you should be benefiting from as a homeowner. Of course you want to consult with your own tax advisor for personal tax advice before doing anything.

• Mortgage interest. Interest paid on home loans is deductible up to $750,000 for a principal residence plus a second home.  This can mean up to hundreds, maybe even thousands of dollars in tax savings to you every year.  Ask a tax advisor what that savings could be for you since everyone’s will be different depending on factors like your tax bracket, your mortgage amount, etc.
• Property taxes. Property taxes on all real estate are fully deductible. That means even more tax savings, and even more money you could keep in your pocket. 

• Credit for green improvements. Not a tax break but a credit. Allows homeowners to take up to $500 off their federal income tax for making certain improvements that increase the energy efficiency of their homes, such as water heaters, furnace, boiler, heat pump, windows or roofing.  Right now, this tax credit is approved through 2023 only.

• Investment Property/Rental Property. The cost of maintaining and marketing a rental property can be deducted from the income the property generates, without regard to the owner’s tax status. These expenses include mortgage interest payments, insurance, utilities, maintenance, repairs, advertising costs and management fees, as well as the non-cash cost of depreciation.

• Home office. You can deduct the costs of a home office that you use exclusively as your principal place of business. Since many of you may have started working from home in recent years, make sure you know the specifics to get any deductions.

• Tax-free rental income. If you rent out your own home for 14 or fewer days during the year, the rental income is tax-free.

As you can see, there are several ways you can save on your taxes and reap the benefits of homeownership.

I’m Here to Help

Never hesitate to reach out to me with any questions when it comes to buying or selling a home.

If you or anyone you know is thinking about downsizing or moving up to a larger home, I’d love to help.  I like to start with a get-to-know-you conversation and to walk through the entire process of buying a home well before we start looking at homes. Then you’re all set with a strategy that works for you particular situation! And if you’d like to know more about how being a homeowner can help you tax-wise, reach out to a Certified Public Accountant or me — I can recommend someone to help you with those estimates