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Regarding Covid-19

To our valued family of customers,

Pro Remodeling has chosen to remain open during our normal business hours during the current COVID-19 pandemic in order to meet the needs of our customers.  Pro Remodeling is following the Executive Order issued by Governor Doug Ducey on March 23, 2020 (EO-2020-12), listing essential services that should remain open: Critical trades, including contractors, plumbers, electricians, etc.

Rest assured all of our employees are observing the protocols of safety recommended by medical experts: wash hands frequently, avoid crowds, limit close contact with others, etc.  We will be diligent in following the measures set forth to ensure your safety as well as our own.

Are Home Improvements Tax-Deductible?

Tax-Deductible Home ImprovementsHome improvements always cost you a chunk of your savings and more. It would be nice to claim them as tax deductibles; deduct the cost of the pool in your taxes. But, are home improvements tax deductible?

Home improvements are not tax-deductible except in these cases:

  • Home improvements for medical reasons
  • Energy-related improvements
  • Moving expenses for military purposes
  • Home office

Most home improvements can have the opposite impact and increase property taxes down the line. You cannot write off the improvements to your home as deductibles. Keep tabs on those expenses and then work them into your taxes when you sell your home. 

These expenses include bathroom remodeling, the addition of a bathroom, a home security system, or changes that bring up a property value. Add these to your capital when calculating the taxes after the sale. 

Tax-Deductible Home Improvements 

Tax deductions are those that lower the taxable income and lessen the liability. You cannot deduct every home improvement or repair as tax-deductible. If that is the case, everyone would have their entire home remodeled with their tax deductions. 

Home Improvements for Medical Reasons

Home Improvements for Medical Reasons - Wheelchair Ramp to HouseIf you happen to have made substantial home improvements to accommodate a disabled person, you can write them off as tax deductions. But the catch is that the disabled person should be yourself, your spouse, or a dependent. 

The renovations may include installing wheelchair access ramps, widening the door, installing handrails, or just about anything to make their life better. But the garden restoration you did along with these doesn’t count towards the deductions. 

Taking advantage of the deductible is not an easy task. In case the renovations increase the value of your home, things just get more complicated after that. 

Consider the cost of revamping your home to accommodate your disabled spouse costs you $20,000 and it raised the value of your home by $10,000. You can apply for a tax-deductible for only $10,000.

To make it even more difficult, the total value of the medical expenses should be more than 7.5% of the gross adjusted income. Moreover, according to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, you need to itemize your tax return in order to claim the benefits. 

Energy-Related Improvements

Not all home improvements are tax-deductible. But you can claim tax credits for renovations that are energy efficient. It includes: 

  • Solar panels
  • Geothermal heat pumps
  • Solar water heaters
  • Fuel cells
  • Wind turbines 

According to IRS Form 5695, you can claim up to 30% of the expenses done before January 1, 2020. The above stays valid for a primary residence and also a vacation home. 

However, for the fuel cell, there is a limitation. You can claim only $500 per half a kilowatt and only for your primary residence. 

Moving Expenses for Military Purposes

Military personnel can get their relocation expenses deducted if they had not been already reimbursed. As per IRS, the move must be one of the below:

  • Moving back to the US from your last post. However, this must be done within a year of completion. 
  • Moving between posts
  • Moving to your first active-duty post

Tax deductions cover everything from travel expenses to moving costs and storage too. Usually, the military covers everything regarding the move, rendering tax deductions pretty useless. 

Home Office

Now that most of the working personnel is working from home, there have been questions about tax deductibles for a home office. Sadly, it is available only for those who are self-employed. 

The tax deducible is based on the percentage of homes used for business purposes. Consider that you use 100 sq ft of your 1000 sq ft home for office purposes. The ratio, in this case, is 10%. 

You can now claim 10% of the rental, utilities, and insurance for tax purposes. And if you choose to renovate or repaint, you can also deduct the same as a write-off. For more details on the write-offs, IRS Publication 587 should help you.

Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQs

What rental home improvements are tax-deductible?

You cannot claim deductions for rental home improvements. Anything done for the betterment of the property may not be claimed for tax purposes. However, you can deduct the cost of repairs. 

What is the difference between repairs and improvements?

A repair keeps your property in good operating condition. Meanwhile, an improvement enhances its value, increases its life, and adapts it for a different purpose. 

What deductions can I claim without receipts?

Without any receipt, there is no proof of purchase. Hence you cannot claim only up to $300 without a receipt, no matter the cost of the home improvement. 

Conclusion

Home improvements for any residence cannot be tax-deductible except for a few isolated cases. If you or a dependent have a disability, home improvements that were done to accommodate you can be claimed for a write-off. The same goes for energy-related improvements, military personnel, and home offices. In the case of a rental property, you can claim deductions for repairs but not for home improvements.

Pro Remodeling is a local, family-owned business established in Tucson in 1971 and is regarded as one of the most trusted, best run, and customer-friendly contractors that provide the best home remodeling Tucson has experienced. If you are interested in giving your kitchen a new makeover, contact the experts at Pro Remodeling today.