{"id":38204,"date":"2024-02-05T00:00:03","date_gmt":"2024-02-05T05:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/rentprep.com\/?p=38204"},"modified":"2024-05-08T11:07:19","modified_gmt":"2024-05-08T15:07:19","slug":"how-rental-income-is-taxed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rentprep.com\/blog\/landlord-tips\/how-rental-income-is-taxed\/","title":{"rendered":"How Rental Income Is Taxed: Landlord\u2019s Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"
Updated February 2024<\/em><\/p>\n Navigating the complexities of reporting rental income and claiming deductions can be overwhelming. But you\u2019ve come to the right place. Our comprehensive guide is crafted to empower landlords like you with essential insights and help unlock the full potential of your rental income, a significant part of your taxable earnings.<\/p>\n Accurate record-keeping and annual reporting to the IRS are key to helping you be compliant and avoid potential fines or legal issues. Embrace the paperwork involved in property rental as an opportunity to maximize your returns.<\/p>\n Here, we’ll delve into what qualifies as rental income for tax purposes<\/a>, highlight deductible expenses related to property rental, and guide you on the appropriate IRS forms for declaring your rental income.<\/p>\n We\u2019ll help you stay informed to ensure a smooth and compliant tax journey.<\/p>\n While rental income tax is not overly complicated, you do need to double-check that you have dotted all your I\u2019s and crossed your T\u2019s.<\/p>\n Yes, landlords are responsible for paying taxes on all income received from property rental. In most, but not all, cases, this type of income is treated as passive and, therefore, taxed at the IRS\u2019s marginal rate.<\/p>\n IRS guidelines on how rental income is taxed are available here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Your overall rental income comes from a variety of sources. But are they all taxable?<\/p>\n Again, yes. As a landlord, all income you receive through your rental property is considered taxable. This includes tenants\u2019 rent payments, security deposits, leasing fees, and other cash flowing through the property. A lump sum paid to cancel a lease is also considered income.<\/p>\n Importantly, rental income is taxable in the year in which you receive the funds, which may not be the same year to which the income applies.<\/p>\n For example, if a tenant moves in and pays their first and last month\u2019s rent upfront, the total payment you receive is taxable in the current tax year, even if the last month\u2019s rent won\u2019t actually apply until a future year.<\/p>\n Whether a security deposit should be included as rental income depends on the particular situation. If the rental agreement stipulates that, assuming there are no deductions for damages, the full security deposit will be used to pay the last month\u2019s rent, then it is taxable as income.<\/p>\n However, if the rental agreement states that the security deposit will be returned to the tenant at the end of the lease minus any expenses and that the tenant will pay the last month\u2019s rent in the usual manner, then the security deposit does not count as rental income. In this case, the security deposit should be held separately and not treated as income.<\/p>\n If you end up keeping any portion of a security deposit<\/a> to cover expenses such as damages, you\u2019ll need to add the amount you retain to your taxable income for the year in which you keep the money.<\/p>\n One of the few exceptions to taxable rent income can be income from short-term rentals. This type of income, such as when renting out your property through a vacation rental service, can sometimes be non-taxable. Specifically, if the property is rented for 14 days or fewer<\/a> in a year, any income you make through those rentals is non-taxable.<\/p>\n Spending at least 10% of the total occupied days living in the property yourself does not make the rental income non-taxable, but it can impact how your short-term rentals are taxed.<\/p>\n As mentioned, rental income must be reported on your tax return for the year in which it was received, regardless of when it covers the rent due.<\/p>\n For example, consider when a tenant pays you in December for their January rent. You receive the money in December, so it should be included on that year\u2019s tax return, not the following year. Even if you do not deposit the funds immediately, you must consider it received once it\u2019s given to you.<\/p>\n Many different elements count as tax deductible. You can see our complete guide to tax deductions for landlords here<\/a>, but the most common deductions include the following:<\/p>\n All deductible expenses<\/a> must be properly documented so you can prove that the write-off is reasonable and necessary. To do this if required, be sure to hang onto bank statements and receipts.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s look closer at two of the potential deductions on the list: depreciation and mortgage interest.<\/p>\n Depreciation is an accounting principle that allows you to deduct the cost of a rental property over a set period. The IRS uses the straight-line method for residential rental properties, depreciating the property<\/a> evenly over 27.5 years. You can deduct depreciation from your annual taxable income as long as you own the property and it generates income.<\/p>\n Depreciation accounts for wear and tear and can be applied both to the property and to any improvements you make, such as installing a new kitchen or renovating a bathroom. Depreciation is calculated starting from either the date you place the property \u201cin service\u201d or from when you make the improvement.<\/p>\n You can recover depreciation losses using Form 4562<\/a>. This form can also be used to reclaim direct expenses associated with any improvements you make to the property.<\/p>\n While your mortgage principal payments are not tax deductible, both your mortgage interest and any expenses you may have incurred to obtain the mortgage are deductible. However, there are limits on what you can claim.<\/p>\nTable Of Contents: Tax On Rental Income<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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<\/a>How Is Rental Property Income Taxed?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
First and foremost, to dispel any lingering doubts, we\u2019ll answer the frequently asked question: Is rental income taxed in the United States?<\/p>\n
<\/a>What Rental Income Is Taxed?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/a>What Year Should Rental Income Be Reported?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/a>What Rental Property Tax Deductions Can Landlords Take?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
It goes without saying that while you\u2019re making money from renting out your property, it\u2019s also costing you to maintain it and manage its rental. You may also be making mortgage interest payments on the property. These types of expenses and others can be taken as deductions to your taxable income to offset your costs.<\/p>\n
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<\/a>What Is Depreciation?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/a>What Are Mortgage Interest Deductions?<\/strong><\/h3>\n