when does a personal residence qualify as a rental property residence.does irs say 2 of the last 5 yrs?

Answer 1

As soon as you start renting it out, it becomes a rental property, and you should start claiming depreciation and expenses on it.

The 2 out of 5 years is when you sell a property that was once your primary residence - if you have lived in it 2 out of the last 5 years, then you can exempt up to $250k in capital gains if single, up to $500k if MFJ and your spouse lived there with you for the two years. The depreciation you took while the house was rented is not exempt from capital gains, though, so you will pay taxes on it.

Answer 2

It becomes a rental property the first day that you rent it out.