Home Ownership
04/5/23 | Rebecca Taplin
With April 15 fast approaching, taxpayers are gathering receipts and official forms and filling out tax returns (or else there’s some serious procrastination going on). We want to remind homeowners that a myriad of tax breaks exist if you own a home–so don’t forget to take your rightful deductions!
According to smartasset.com, the median annual property tax payment in Massachusetts is $4,899, a smidge higher than the national average of $4,950. Let's see what kinds of deductions you may be able to take this year.
Not every homeowner will qualify for everything listed here. I’ve grouped them accordingly, with the most popular and easy-to-take deductions up top and the less common or trickier ones below. If you want to learn more, go to the Mass.gov guide for taxpayers here, or look up federal tax breaks at the IRS website.
Mortgage Interest Deduction
This is one of the most significant tax breaks for homeowners. You can deduct the interest on loans used to buy, build, and improve your home. The interest deduction applies to loans of up to $750,000 ($375,000 if married filing separately).
Property Taxes
You can deduct up to $10,000 ($5,000 if married filing separately) of property taxes in combination with state and local income or sales taxes.
Mortgage Points
If you paid points to get a better interest rate on your mortgage, you may be able to deduct them. Learn more from the IRS here.
Private Mortgage Insurance
If you have to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI), you can deduct the premiums.
Residential Tax Exemption
Many communities in Massachusetts offer a tax break if you live in the home you own. Read our blog to see your tax rate, and whether your city or town qualifies for the residential tax exemption.
Home Office Expenses
Raise your hand if you now work from home… Wow, a lot of hands in the air! Remember, if you work from home, you may be able to deduct some of your home office expenses. You need receipts to back up your itemized deductions. Read this article by Turbo Tax for more information.
Senior credits
Residential Energy Credit
If you made energy-efficient upgrades to your home (such as heat pumps, solar panels, or an on-demand water heater), you may be eligible for a tax credit of up to 10% of the cost of the upgrades, up to a maximum of $500.
Medically Necessary Upgrades/Equipment
If you made medically necessary upgrades to your home, you may be able to deduct their cost. A common example of these upgrades is wheelchair-accessible changes such as ramps or accessible bathtubs.
Capital Gains
If you sold a home in 2022, you may be able to exclude up to $250,000 ($500,000 if married filing jointly) of the capital gains from the sale from your taxable income.
Moving expenses
Whether you sold or bought, you may have moved in 2022. Oftentimes, you can deduct the expenses for your move (keep those receipts).
All of these possible deductions can add up to some significant savings. Do your research, ask questions of your tax advisor or preparer. The bottom line: When you’re doing your taxes, take the time to benefit from being a homeowner in Massachusetts!
You may have heard or read about a recent settlement between the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the Department of Justice that resulted in several significant changes to how real estate commissions are handled. We’d like to address how we are responding to the settlement, and how changes may affect you.
You may have heard or read about a recent settlement between the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the Department of Justice that resulted in several significant changes to how real estate commissions are handled. We’d like to address how we are responding to the settlement, and how changes may affect you.
As urban areas continue to expand and temperatures rise due to climate change, the need for effective shade in cities has become too much to ignore. Cambridge, Somerville and suburban towns have begun the strategic use of trees and canopies. I think these options offer a powerful solution to provide relief from excessive heat and sunlight.
With their complementary communication styles, responsiveness, competence, and ability to truly listen, Ellie and Liz enable their clients to feel at ease throughout any real estate transaction. They would welcome the opportunity to be your next real estate advisors.
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