Amount of 179D Tax Deduction for Building Designer

Congress often creates tax incentives, but it is up to the IRS and courts to determine their implementation and interpretation. The Sec. 179D tax deduction is an example of this. The statute provides broad concepts but lacks substance, leading to the courts playing a crucial role in determining its implementation and interpretation. The details matter…

Section 1031 Exchange Into Jointly-Held Partnership Property

The Section 1031 exchange rules can help real estate investors defer paying tax on the transfer of property. Many real estate investors use these rules to upgrade their real estate portfolio over time. This tax deferral can be helpful as monies that would have been paid to the IRS in taxes can be rolled into…

Do Vacation Rentals Trigger Self-Employment Tax?

Short-term rental or vacation rental properties have increased in popularity. They are also popular investments. This includes real estate rented on Airbnb and its competitors, such as Vrbo, Booking.com, Tripadvisor, Agoda, Expedia, TUI Villas, TravelStaytion, HomeToGo, Plum Guide, and Google. Taxes are one reason for the increase in popularity. Short-term rentals can provide a number…

Rental Tax Losses for Those With Irregular Hours

Tax cases are interesting in that they apply a fairly well-developed set of rules to varying fact patterns. These varying fact patterns can result in surprising, and often unintended, consequences. The more complex the tax law in question, the more likely it is that the outcome will be something other than what Congress may have…

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What is a Rental Activity?

What Is A Rental Activity?

The ability to generate current year tax losses is a strong incentive for high-income taxpayers to own real estate. Real estate often produces tax losses, but not economic losses. This happens because the current operating expenses plus tax depreciation result in a current year loss. At the same time, the property likely increased in value…

Deducting Interest for More than One Home

Deducting Interest For More Than One Home

The mortgage interest deduction seems simple enough. The Code provides a deduction for mortgage interest that is paid during the year. It starts with a broad grant: There shall be allowed as a deduction all interest paid or accrued within the taxable year on indebtedness. Then these 18 words in a single sentence are followed…