# Federal Tax Deduction Question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 26, 2015, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-tax-deduction-question/713633 "2015-02-26T01:55:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![amaguri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@amaguri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amaguri)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2015, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-tax-deduction-question/713633/1 "2015-02-26T01:55:59Z")
I had an enormous repair expense for a rental property (i.e. a place I rent out, not my primary residence) this year and I’m not sure (a) if it’s deductible at all and, if so (b) how to deduct it. Can anyone give me any simple guidance? ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2015, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-tax-deduction-question/713633/2 "2015-02-26T02:38:09Z")
Generally yes, read pub 527. Was it rented for all of 2014? ---
**Author:** ![amaguri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@amaguri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amaguri)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2015, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-tax-deduction-question/713633/3 "2015-02-26T02:46:23Z")
Yes. I think I figured it out… you can deduct expenses up to a point but you’re only allowed to call it a net loss if your gross income is under a certain level. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2015, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-tax-deduction-question/713633/4 "2015-02-26T04:58:21Z")
Why, is the cost greater than the rent? Note that it depends on if you are a real estate professional (you are probably not). Also look into depreciation in the same pub and also 946. ---
**Author:** ![DummyGladHands](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/49beb7/32.png) [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2015, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-tax-deduction-question/713633/5 "2015-02-26T13:59:04Z")
It’s complicated without additional information. What was the repair? Some items can be deducted in full in your tax year, some must be capitalized (carpet, appliances, more). Although they changed the rules this year, my CPA tells me there’s still confusion and discussion about those rules. The information I first read said even new HVAC could be deducted (formerly capitalized) and he didn’t even know where the IRS would end up on some of it. Remember, you can’t claim your own labor, as far as I know, without claiming it as income as well. ---
**Author:** ![JohnGalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johngalt/32/184_2.png) [@JohnGalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnGalt)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2015, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-tax-deduction-question/713633/6 "2015-02-27T03:21:10Z")
OK, since someone started tax questions about rentals: We had a house that we put on the rental market in November 2014 for the first time and our first renter moved in and paid rent January 1, 2015. However, in getting the house ready for rental (a window replacement, updating a stair railing, and obtaining the rental license which was $1250), we spent perhaps $2000-$2500 in 2014. Is what we spent in 2014 deductible if did not receive in rent payments during 2014?