Homeowner association fees - is there ANY way to claim this on your taxes?

Question

Every indication I get is that you CAN'T claim Homeowner association fees on your taxes. Is this absolutely the case? I paid $600 in association fees last year... can't this somehow be claimed ANYWHERE on the return?
Is there ever a situation where this can be claimed?

Thanks.

Answer 1

First, you placed this question in General Health Care but non the less here is my answer:

The only time, that I'm aware of, is when you have a home office. Say, for example, the office is 10% of your total home then you may deduct 10% off all bills associated with the maintenance and repair of the home office. The Homeowner association fee is directly related to your home, therefore, directly related to your home office. It would fall under the same category as fees and dues, not property taxes paid.

Since your fees were so high either you live in a very nice home or somewhere where the cost of living is high, such as Los Angeles or San Francisco or New York City. Therefore, that amount may be normal. However, in Houston, that is a sign of prosperity. In the case that it is prosperity you might already have room set aside in your home for work. If this is the case, you apparently already missing out on the tax deduction. If you don't already have a home office, try to make one. And, as always, speak with a tax accountant. I suggest you speak with a private accountant, not someone like H and R Block or Jackson Hewett. They look out for themselves first. You only get the bare minimum deductions.

I hope this helps. Good luck.