How rental property depreciation works
Often a rental's biggest deduction, and it costs nothing out of pocket. What you can depreciate, the 27.5-year rule, and what happens when you sell.
More guides
Pick the one you needCan landlords deduct mileage to their rental?
Every trip to show a unit or meet a plumber can lower your taxes. What counts, and the simple log the IRS expects.
Repair or improvement: what landlords can deduct right away
Fixing a leak and replacing a roof aren't deducted the same way. Plus three safe harbors that help.
The de minimis safe harbor for landlords
Write off a new fridge or water heater the year you buy it, instead of over years.
Passive loss carryover: don't lose your rental losses
A rental loss you can't use this year isn't wasted. It carries forward, if it doesn't get lost.
More questions, answered
Taxes, forms, selling and moreWhat rental expenses can I deduct?
A plain-English checklist of what landlords can write off, and what they can't.
Schedule E explained for landlords
The tax form where your rental's income and expenses go, line by line.
Do I need to send 1099s to my contractors?
When landlords file Form 1099-NEC for the people they pay, and how to stay ahead of it.
Short-term rental taxes: the 7-day rule and more
Airbnb and VRBO income can be taxed differently than a regular rental.
How much tax will I owe on rental income?
You're taxed on what's left after expenses and depreciation, not on the rent.
Estimated taxes for landlords: when and how much
Rental income has no withholding, so you may need to pay as you go.
Selling a rental: depreciation recapture and 1031 exchanges
What you'll owe when you sell, and how a 1031 exchange can put it off.
Should my rental be in an LLC? How it changes your taxes
An LLC is mostly about liability, not tax savings. Here's what actually changes.
Keeping rental records: what to save and for how long
Good records protect every deduction you take. Here's what to keep.
Let Tethered Properties keep track of it all
Log rent, expenses, mileage and receipts as they happen, and see what every deduction saves you in tax, all year. By invitation through CPA partners.
These guides are general information for rental owners, not tax advice. Tax rules change and every situation is different; your CPA or tax advisor knows your full picture. Figures are estimates.