Taxes & Accounting
Deductions, basis, Schedule E, and staying audit-ready.
Home Battery Storage Tax Credit: What Landlords Should Confirm
A home battery may qualify for a federal tax credit, but landlords often face a depreciation question instead once the unit serves a rental property.
Geothermal Heat Pump Tax Credit for Homeowners in 2026
The geothermal heat pump credit runs through Form 5695 and IRS §25D, but the exact rate and expiration date have changed and must be confirmed directly on IRS.gov.
Does Your Rental Qualify for the QBI Deduction? 250-Hour Test
A 20% QBI deduction is available on rental income, but only if your rental rises to the level of a trade or business under IRS rules.
Do New Windows, Doors, or Insulation Earn a Tax Credit?
A federal tax credit for windows, doors, and insulation exists, but it's built around homes you live in, not units rented out full-time to tenants.
Converting a 1031 Replacement Property Into Your Home: 3 Traps
IRC Section 1031 requires replacement property to be held for investment, and moving in too soon can unravel the entire tax deferral you worked to lock in.
Closing Cost Assistance Programs for First-Time Buyers (2026 Guide)
Closing costs typically run 2% to 5% of your loan amount, and grants, forgivable loans, and credits can cover part or all of that gap.
Cleaning and Supplies — Everyday Landlord Deductions to Track
Cleaning supplies, cleaner's fees, and turnover costs are fully deductible ordinary rental expenses if you keep dated receipts tying each one to a specific unit.
Form 3115: How to Catch Up on Missed Rental Depreciation
Form 3115 lets landlords catch up on years of missed rental depreciation in one filing, without amending every prior-year return.
Carrying Forward Unused Solar Tax Credits — A Landlord's Guide
Unused solar tax credits don't disappear if your tax bill is too small to absorb them — most versions carry forward to future years.
Can You 1031 Exchange Into a Property in Another State? Yes
A 1031 exchange lets you sell a rental in one state and buy in another, but a few states will still tax the gain later through clawback rules.
First Rental Property Due Diligence: 12 Things to Check
A missed roof or plumbing issue can cost $5,000 or more after closing — here's the due-diligence checklist first-time landlords need before signing.
Boot in a 1031 Exchange — The Part You Still Pay Tax On
Boot is any cash, debt relief, or non-like-kind property you receive in a 1031 exchange, and it's taxable in the year of the exchange even if the rest is deferred.
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