How Can I Calculate Taxable Income on Lease Properties?

Rental properties are a favourite vehicle of many investors since they usually appreciate in value and provide a steady flow of income. In addition they allow an investor to pay himself a salary and deduct depreciation, a non-cash cost, from leasing income. Managing rental properties demands that you maintain accurate income and expenditure records if you would like to maximize your return and avoid income tax issues. Consult with a tax professional if you are not comfortable with doing your own bookkeeping.

Insert all rental received to ascertain income. Include any cash received for other property-related sources, for example coin-operated washers and dryers, and some other expenses paid by a renter in your total. Include the fair market value of any services or merchandise received in lieu of cash. Don’t include a security deposit when you plan to return it in the end of the lease.

Total all property-related expenditures such as management, advertisements, mortgage interest, insurance, maintenance, depreciation and taxes.

Subtract total expenses from gross income to determine taxable income. If the difference is greater than zero, this really is your taxable income from your lease. If the gap is less than zero, then you don’t have any taxable income and may deduct the amount lost from income from different sources, such as salary or other small business revenue. A total of zero has no impact on your earnings.

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