DEDUCTION RELATED TAX STRATEGIES ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 1- REAL ESTATE: Deducting mortgage points: ------------------------- a- You should make out a separate check for points incurred for the acquisition or improvement of your principle residence at closing time, rather than adding the points to the mortgage. This gives you a lump-sum amount to insure deductibility. b- You may not deduct mortgage points on vacation homes, rental units or refinancing a principle residence. These mortgage points must be amortized over the life of the loan. c- A vacation home would be considered as a second-residence and would qualify for full mortgage interest deductions. This is true, so long as it is not rented. If it is rented, then special rules will apply as listed in the rental property depreciation section. Rental property depreciation: ---------------------------- a- Generally, rental property acquired after 1986 will use the straight-line method of depreciation which is spread over 27.5 years for residential income property and 31.5 years for commercial property. b- If you acquired or constructed your rental property through a binding contract on March 1 of 1986, your depreciation table may come under the prior depreciation method (grandfathered) which is the 19 year life using either the straight-line or the accelerated 175 percent declining-balance method. Real Estate expenses: -------------------- a- If you purchase or sell real estate, you are allowed deductions on taxes or interest charges collected from you at closing time. Ask the escrow officer or your attorney (a must) to point out these costs to you on the closing statement. Outline of Tax-Free Income: -------------------------- a- Any gain made on the sale of your home, if you use the gain for the purchase of a new home that is equal to or greater than the house that you sold. b- Any gifts that you receive from a friend, relative etc. The gift tax is payable by the person giving the gift and not by you. Gifts given by winning contests, lotteries etc. are generally considered as income and are therefore considered as taxeable. c- IRA roll-overs: a roll-over is not considered taxeable as long as you meet the 6O day time limit to complete the roll-over. d- People who receive an inheritance, do not pay taxes. e- The beneficiary of a life insurance policy, is not subject to taxation. However, your estate may be liable for estate taxes on the proceeds. f- Property settlements between two parties in a divorce or who are in seperation proceedings. g- Child support payments to you. A recipient of alimony payments are taxable, however. h- Any money recovered in lawsuits filed for personal injuries or defamation of character, for instance. If you have recovered lost wages or other income however, these are taxable. i- Workers compensation payments, are not taxable. j- Payments for disability, by health insurance plans are tax free, if you made the premium payments yourself. Disibility payments are taxable, if the insurance premiums are paid by your employer. k- Federal income tax refunds are not taxable. However, any late refund interest payments paid by the IRS, are taxable. l- State income tax refunds, if you didn't itemize deductions on your federal return for that year. m- Certain municiple bond issues. Work with your broker or CPA on this one. n- Property exchanges that are of "like-kind", meaning that the tangible property or real estate swaps are of similar nature. o- Renting a vacation home out for 14 days or less, the income is not taxable. p- Any wages earned by dependent kids that is $3OOO or less, is considered tax-free. Also, a dependent kids investment income (dividends, interest etc.) not exceeding $5OO. q- Scholarships or fellowships that have been granted to a person after the date of August 16, 1986, are tax-free, to the extent of only covering tuition, fees, books and articles needed for the course. Grants provided for room and board etc., are taxable. r- Your employers fringe benefits such as: up to $5O,OOO in life insurance coverage, up to $5OOO of death benefits, health insurance pension contributions, group plan legal benefits and certain child and dependent care. s- Meals and lodging, provided by your employer to allow you to remain at work to finish a particular job, for instance.