At tax time, it pays to be a homeowner. Whether you're buying or selling a home, fixing one up, or using it as collateral, there's an associated tax break. In fact, there are so many federal tax incentives that homeowners often fail to take advantage of at least one or two - which can add thousands of dollars to your tax bill. What follows are 10 of the best.
1 Home loan 'points' deduction
If you purchase "discount points" as part of your home loan (fees paid to a lender in order to lower your mortgage interest rate), you may be eligible to deduct 100 percent of that cost from your taxes. The same is true for a home-improvement loan. However, to qualify, the loan must be for your main, full-time home, not a second home, a vacation place, or a rental property. Points purchased as part of a refinancing loan also qualify for this tax deduction, but those have to be deducted over the life of the loan, and not all at once.
For all the details, search for "Topic 504"on the IRS website (irs.gov).
2 First-time homebuyer/long-time resident credit
You may be eligible for a first-time homebuyer credit. In fact, under the "long-time resident" clause, you could qualify for this credit even if it wasn't your first home.
For all the details, search for the article titled "First-Time Homebuyer Credit" on the IRS website.
3 Mortgage-interest deduction
In most cases, all the interest you pay on your home loan (your full-time home and any second home) is fully deductible on your federal taxes. What's more, if your loan includes private mortgage insurance payments, those are also deductible.
For all the details, search for "Publication 936" on the IRS website.
4 Mortgage interest credit
The mortgage interest credit is intended to help lower-income individuals afford home ownership. However, you must contact your state or local housing finance agency about the credit before you obtain a mortgage and buy your home. If you qualify, you may be able to subtract a set amount (a maximum of $2,000) from your mortgage interest payments every year you live in that house and owe money on the loan.
For all the details, see the section titles "Mortgage Interest Credit" of "Publication 530" on the IRS website.
5 Property tax deduction
Any state, local or foreign real estate taxes you've paid on your primary and/or second residence are also deductible on your federal income tax return.
NOTE: Many states and counties also impose local benefit taxes for improvements to property, such as assessments for streets, sidewalks, and sewer lines. Those taxes cannot be deducted. However you can increase the "cost basis" of your property by the amount of the assessment.
For all the details, search for "Topic 503" on the IRS website.
6 Home office deduction
If an area of your home (a room or other "separately identifiable space") is used exclusively as your principal place of business, you can deduct a portion of your total home expenses. How much you can deduct depends on the size of your home office.
For all the details, search for the article "Home Office Deduction" on the IRS website.
7 Home loan interest deduction
You may also be able to deduct a portion of the interest paid on a home-improvement loan, a home-equity loan, or a line of credit.
For all the details, search for "Publication 936" on the IRS website.
8 Capital gains reduction
When you sell a home, the federal government taxes you on any profits (the difference between what you bought the house for, and what you sold it for). That's the capital gains tax. You are allowed to deduct many of the costs related to selling your home from the associated capital gains - which reduces your capital gains tax - but reinvestment deferrals are no longer allowed.
For all the details, search for "Publication 523" on the IRS website.
9 Capital gains exclusion
Related to number eight, if the house you sell was your principal residence for two of the last five years, you can exclude up to $250,000 from your capital gains or $500,000 for married couples filing jointly.
For all the details, search for "Publication 523" on the IRS website.
10 Moving expenses deduction
If you move more than 50 miles to take a new job, you may be able to deduct a portion of your moving expenses - including lodging expenses, transportation costs, and any storage fees.
For all the details, search for "Publication 521" on the IRS website.
A final note
Before implementing any of these ideas, be sure to research them thoroughly on the IRS website (irs.gov) and/or consult with a certified public accountant or tax professional.
Until next week,
la chasse au bonheur