REALTOR TAX DEDUCTIONS
I want you to be aware of all the tax deductions that are available to you as a Realtor. My goal is to take as many deductions as I legally can to save you money. Being a Realtor is a unique business and there are several business deductions to take advantage of. Some deductions are complex to calculate, and these are best to discuss in detail during the interview process. Here are some common Realtor deductions to consider.
Home Office Deduction
The IRS rules for the home office deduction can be complicated. The office does not have to be an entire room to qualify. The home office can be a portion of a room and still qualify for the deduction. However, the office area in your home must be used for the business on a regular basis and only be used for business purposes. Let's discuss this in detail to maximize your home office deduction.
Vehicle Expenses
Vehicle expenses can be deducted by either taking a standard mileage rate or actual expenses. The standard mileage rate is commonly used as this is the easier of the two methods to keep track of. There are apps such as MileIQ that can make tracking your business miles easy. Let's discuss which option would be best for you.
Other Common Realtor Deductions
- Advertising
- Cell Phone
- Commissions (Paid to Referring Agent)
- Continuing Education
- Contractors
- Dues (MLS Fees, Realtor Fees, Key Fees Etc.)
- Gifts (Max of $25 Per Person)
- Insurance (Errors & Omission)
- Internet
- Legal & Professional Fees
- Business Meals
- Office Supplies (Laptop, Printer etc.)
- Rent/Desk Fees
- Retirement Contributions
- Software
- Travel Expenses
Qualified Business Income Deduction
Realtor services qualify for the Qualified Business Income Deduction. This deduction is a freebie from the government. This means you don't have to spend any money in order to take the deduction.
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The deduction is complicated to calculate, but in the simplest terms it's a deduction worth 20% of your net business income. The deduction is not taken on the business return, but instead it flows through to your personal return.
