Can I claim home improvement expenses with my taxes?

Question

My tax preparator said home improvement expenses cannot be claimed but I think she is wrong. I hear many people do it for this purpose.

Answer 1

Not unless you have a Home Office or business, when it helps is when the home is sold- lowers capital gain-

Answer 2

Your tax preparer is correct. Home improvement is a personal expense and is not deductible.

If you take out a home equity loan to pay for the home improvements, the interest may be deductible.

If you own investment properties, costs of improvements may be either deductible (such as minor repairs) or can be depreciated as capital investments.

You should still keep track of home improvement expenditures as they may have tax implications when you sell. Major renovations can be used to increase the cost basis of your home when determining if there is any taxible gain on sale.

This is a wash for most people due to the $250,000.00 exclusion ($500,000.00 if married filing jointly) of gain on sale of a primary residence but some areas of the country are seeing home prices skyrocketing to the extent that it may be an issue.

Answer 3

Home improvements are not deductible if the home is your primary residence, and you do not have a home office. People will claim the improvements on their tax returns if it is a rental property. If you have a home office (self employed or for benefit of your employer) you can depreciate a percentage of the cost of the improvements. Sorry, but your preparer was correct.

Answer 4

When you go to sell you home, you can claim the improvement expenses. Until that time, keep you receipts and wait.

If you hear of other people doing it, it might be because they have a business in their home or they are self employed.

Answer 5

Your tax preparer is correct. However, if your home improvements involved something that will make your home more energy efficient (energy efficient windows, doors, furnace, air conditioner, insulation) you might be eligible for the new energy credit. Why don't you run that by your preparer and see if any of your improvements will qualify?

Answer 6

Improvements, that add a room or a "pool"(questionable value to buyer) or added space are not deductible at the time of completion.

They are used to deduct profits at the time of sale. This is true even if one puts shelves in a closet, if not existing. Keep records.

Repairs and maintenance are not deductible in any case.

Answer 7

Home improvement expenses are not deductible, but you're not the first one to ask this question. It's a very common myth.