Article in the current issue of Housing Trends eNewsletter from Angela Colley, 5 Tax Mistakes New Homeowners Make, discusses tax issues for new homeowners …
Few people look forward to tax season, and when you’re a new homeowner in Metamora MI, filing can be even more daunting. Suddenly, you have new forms to fill out and more potential for making a mistake.
But taxes aren’t all bad; homeowners get more tax benefits than renters. And if you can avoid these five common mistakes, you’ll survive tax season.
1. Not tracking your home improvement expenses
If you bought a fixer-upper and you’ve put money into improving your home, you should be keeping a detailed record of your expenses.
Some home improvements—like installing energy-efficient features or building an entrance ramp—may qualify for tax deductions. Other home improvements won’t qualify for an immediate tax deduction, but they can help you when you sell your home.
Under the home sale exemption, home improvements increase your basis in your home, which lowers the taxable amount of your sale price. The exemption can save you money, but you’ll need receipts and records to prove you made upgrades in your home.
2. Using the home office deduction incorrectly
The home office deduction is complicated and can get the attention of the Internal Revenue Service, potentially resulting in an audit.
To avoid mistakes, get a tax professional’s help or opt for the new simplified home office deduction. This deduction allows you to skip the complicated aspect of the home office deduction like calculating office space.
3. Filing the wrong year
Many new homeowners mix up the dates. Several taxing authorities are a year behind on taxes. This means, for example, when you file in 2015, you’re actually filing for the 2014 tax year. If you choose the wrong year, you could end up filing the wrong amounts and that may lead to a lower-than-expected refund or even an audit.
4. Deducting your full escrow balance
If you’ve been putting money into escrow throughout the year, be careful with how much you deduct on your taxes. Many homeowners simply list their full escrow balance, but not all of your funds in escrow are used to pay taxes.
Before you file, contact the escrow account manager and find out the exact amount of taxes paid from your escrow, then list that amount.
5. Not itemizing
If you’ve been working one job and renting for years, you’ve likely been able to file your taxes using the simplest form, the 1040EZ. But opting for the simple form once you’re a homeowner could cost you.
Homeowners receive a host of tax deductions and benefits that might lower your tax obligation and increase your refund, but you’ll have to file a long form to get most of those benefits. If you aren’t sure which is the better deal, ask a tax adviser for help.
references: agnela colley, realtor.com
Donald Horne, Team Success Listing
Associate Broker for Coldwell Banker Shooltz Realty
Oxford Office 248-969-8065
Lapeer Office 810-338-0628
donaldhorne.realtor@gmail.com