Rental Property Deductions Checklist for Landlords
Although landlording is generally considered passive income, landlords can still incur expenses while renting out their property. Over time, property management fees, legal expenses, and maintenance costs can add up. Fortunately, many of these expenses are tax-deductible, which can help reduce your year-end tax liability.
To take advantage of these investment property tax deductions, accurate record-keeping is essential. By tracking your rental property expenses, you can also identify areas of overspending and opportunities to boost cash flow.
In this article, we’ll take a quick look at how deductions for a rental property work. We will then review 40 standard rental property tax deductions that many property owners often overlook. To get organized for tax day on April 15, 2026, check out our free downloadable rental property deductions checklist. This will come in handy when filing your taxes.
Table of Contents
- What are rental property tax deductions?
- How do rental property deductions work?
- How is rental income taxed?
- What expenses can I deduct from rental income?
- Rental Property Deductions Checklist: Free Downloadable PDF
- Can you deduct your own labor on rental property?
- Can I deduct remodeling expenses for my rental property?
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for the guidance and expertise of a qualified legal or tax professional. Readers are encouraged to seek professional advice tailored to their specific circumstances before making any legal or tax-related decisions. The content herein is general in nature and may not account for individual variations or changes in applicable laws and regulations.
While this list is not exhaustive, it can help you get an idea of the rental property deductions available. At the end of each year, you should review your rental property deductions checklist with a qualified tax professional to ensure that you have claimed all rental expenses that are eligible for deduction.
Rental Property Deductions Checklist: Free Downloadable PDF
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What are rental property tax deductions?
Rental property tax deductions are expenses associated with owning and managing a rental property. These expenses can be deducted from your taxable income. As a result, these deductions can significantly reduce the amount of income on which you are taxed and thereby lower your overall tax liability. Typically, rental property tax deductions include the following:
- Mortgage insurance and mortgage interest
- Depreciation of the property’s structure over time
- Repairs and maintenance
- Property management fees
For a more granular list of rental property deductions, check out our rental property deductions checklist below.
How do rental property deductions work?
Rental property deductions enable property owners to offset the financial burden associated with owning and managing their rental properties. When tax season arrives, landlords can deduct various expenses related to their rental property from their taxable income. These deductions will ultimately reduce the amount on which they are required to pay taxes.
Standard deductions include mortgage interest, property taxes, operating expenses, and depreciation. Mortgage interest, for instance, can be a deduction that allows property owners to offset the interest paid on their mortgage loans. Operating expenses, such as property management fees, utilities, and maintenance costs, are also deductible. Additionally, the gradual decrease in the property’s value over time, known as depreciation, is another significant deduction.
Property owners should maintain detailed records of all expenses associated with their rental properties to maximize tax deductions. Our rental property deductions checklist below can help you get organized.
How is rental income taxed?
In addition to rent received, landlords must report all other income received from tenants. For example, if you are a landlord who pays utilities and receives reimbursement from your tenants, then you would declare the utilities as a deductible expense and the reimbursement as income.
On the other hand, security deposits that you intend to give back to your tenant(s) at the end of their lease should not be reported as income. If, however, the security deposit is used as a final payment of rent, it’s considered rent in advance and should be reported as income. Alternatively, if you retain part or all of the security deposit because the tenant caused damage to the property, then the security deposit should be considered income.
In addition to tracking income, landlords must also track deductible expenses, including mortgage interest, operating costs, property taxes, depreciation, repairs, etc. To determine your annual taxable income, subtract the total expenses listed in the rental property deductions checklist from the total revenue received. This calculation will provide the overall income amount to be reported on your Form 1040, Schedule E, Part I.
What expenses can I deduct from rental income?
The IRS allows you to deduct ordinary and necessary expenses related to managing and maintaining your rental property. Ordinary expenses are those commonly and generally accepted in a particular business industry. Necessary expenses, on the other hand, are those deemed appropriate for that business. In the list below, we cover examples of ordinary and necessary expenses for your rental property business.
1. Accounting & Bookkeeping:
Deductible expenses related to professional accounting and bookkeeping services are considered necessary for managing the financial records of the rental property.
2. Advertising & Marketing Costs:
Costs associated with promoting and advertising the rental property to attract tenants, such as online listings, signage, and other marketing efforts, are tax-deductible.
3. Business Entity Pass-through Deduction:
This includes deductions applicable to certain business entities, allowing a percentage of qualified business income to be deducted from the property owner’s taxable income.
4. Capital Improvement Depreciation:
A capital improvement is any permanent upgrade that extends the life of your rental property or increases its overall value. While these costs can’t be deducted in the year they’re paid, they can be depreciated over time.
Under the Big Beautiful Bill Act (P.L. 119-21), specific improvements and tangible personal property now qualify for 100% bonus depreciation if acquired after January 19, 2025, and placed in service that year or later (KPMG TaxNewsFlash, My Personal Tax CPA). This means landlords can immediately write off qualifying assets such as new appliances, flooring, or HVAC systems instead of depreciating them over several years.
The law also increases Section 179 expensing limits to $2.5 million (phase-out starting at $4 million). These changes can substantially accelerate deductions for property owners who renovate or upgrade their rentals in 2025 and beyond. For more information on capital improvements, check out the IRS Publication 527.
5. Cell Phone & Internet Services:
Cell phone and internet services related to managing the rental property are tax deductible.
6. Closing Costs:
When buying or refinancing a rental property, you’ll encounter fees such as title insurance, appraisals, and recording costs. Although these are necessary expenses, most closing costs are not immediately deductible. They must be capitalized and added to your property’s cost basis to be depreciated over time (IRS Publication 527, Residential Rental Property).
Only specific items, such as loan interest, certain mortgage points, and property taxes paid at closing, may be deducted in the year they’re incurred. Review your settlement statement carefully with a tax professional to ensure proper treatment.
7. Credit Card Debt:
When a credit card is used for legitimate rental expenses (like maintenance supplies and contractor payments), the interest on that business-related balance is deductible. However, principal repayments are not (IRS Publication 535). Maintain detailed records that clearly show the business purpose of each charge to ensure your deductions are audit-proof.
8. Depreciation of the Building:
The gradual wear and tear or depreciation of the building structure can be deducted from taxable income on an annual basis. Most residential rental properties depreciate at a rate of 3.636% over 27.5 years. Keep in mind that only the value of buildings can be depreciated. You cannot depreciate the land on which your structure is built. Please refer to IRS Publication 946 for more information about residential property depreciation.
9. Depreciation of Property Classes:
Depreciation remains a key deduction for landlords. Residential buildings still depreciate over 27.5 years, while items such as appliances, carpets, and office furniture fall into 5-, 7-, or 15-year schedules (IRS Publication 946 (How to Depreciate Property).
For 2025, the Big Beautiful Bill Act reintroduced 100% bonus depreciation for qualifying assets placed in service after January 19, 2025. This means landlords can immediately deduct the full cost of eligible property improvements in the year they’re made, rather than spreading the deduction over time.
10. Education:
Deductions for expenses related to educational courses or programs that improve the property owner’s skills in managing rental properties are tax-deductible. Common continuing education expenses for landlords include seminars, newsletter subscriptions, books, and/or courses.
11. HOA Fees:
When renting out your property, you can deduct Homeowners Association (HOA) fees.
12. Home Office:
You can deduct expenses related to the use of a designated home office space for managing your rental property business.
13. Independent Contractors and Consultants:
Payments made to independent contractors or consultants providing services related to the rental property are tax-deductible.
14. Mold Remediation:
Expenses associated with the removal and remediation of mold issues within the rental property are tax-deductible.
15. Mortgage Interest:
Interest paid on the mortgage loan for the rental property is tax-deductible.
16. Mortgage Insurance Premium:
Premiums paid for mortgage insurance are tax-deductible.
17. Landscaping and Lawn Care:
When it comes to rental property, landscaping and lawn care are considered business expenses and are tax-deductible.
18. Landlord Insurance:
Insurance premiums, specifically covering risks associated with rental property, are tax deductible.
19. Leasing:
Costs associated with finding and securing tenants, such as leasing agent fees and advertising expenses, are tax-deductible.
20. Legal Fees:
Fees paid to legal professionals for services related to the rental property, including eviction proceedings or contract consultations, are tax-deductible.
21. License and Registration Fees:
Fees for licenses and registrations, such as LLC fees, are tax-deductible.
22. Maintenance:
Expenses for routine maintenance and repairs to keep the property in good condition are tax deductible. However, the IRS does not allow you to deduct expenses related to property improvements. For more information on the difference between maintenance and property improvements, check out the tangible property regulations frequently asked questions.
23. Office Supplies:
Costs for office supplies used in managing the rental property, such as paper, ink, and stationery, are tax-deductible.
24. Pest Control and Extermination Services:
Expenses for controlling and eliminating pests in and around the rental property are tax-deductible.
25. Professional Cleaning Fees:
Professional cleaning services for the rental property are tax-deductible.
26. Property Management Fees:
Fees paid to property management companies are tax-deductible.
27. Property Tax:
Property taxes for the rental property are tax-deductible.
28. QBI Pass-Through Deductions:
Rental income is usually passive, but if your activity qualifies as a trade or business under IRC §162, you may be eligible for the Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction. As of 2025, the Big Beautiful Bill Act makes §199A permanent and raises income thresholds, allowing more landlords to claim up to a 20% deduction on qualified rental income.
29. Repairs:
Expenses for repairs that maintain the property’s condition but do not significantly increase its value are tax-deductible. Property improvements that increase the property’s value are considered capital improvements. While the costs of capital improvements themselves are not tax-deductible, the depreciation of capital improvements over time is tax-deductible.
30. Sales Tax:
Sales tax on goods and services related to the rental property is tax deductible.
31. Security Systems and Alarms:
Costs associated with the installation and maintenance of security systems and alarms for the rental property are tax-deductible.
32. Snow Removal Services:
Expenses related to removing snow from the rental property are deductible.
33. Software Subscriptions:
Expenses for software subscriptions used in managing and tracking rental property finances are tax-deductible.
34. Tax Preparation Fees:
Fees paid to tax professionals for preparing and filing tax returns related to the rental property are tax-deductible.
35. Tenant Screening Fees:
Costs associated with screening potential tenants, including background checks and credit reports, are tax-deductible.
36. Trash Collection:
Expenses for garbage and waste removal services for the rental property are tax-deductible.
37. Local Travel:
Deductions for business-related use of a vehicle, including mileage and maintenance/repairs, to visit your local rental property are tax deductible.
38. Long-distance Travel:
Business-related travel expenses to visit your rental property are tax-deductible.
39. Utilities:
Expenses for utilities such as water, gas, electricity, and other services necessary for the property are tax-deductible.
40. Vacancy Losses due to Nonpayment of Rent:
Losses incurred during periods of tenant vacancy due to nonpayment of rent are tax deductible.
Vacancy Losses due to Nonpayment of Rent:
If a tenant skips rent, you can’t deduct the income you never received. For cash-basis landlords (most individuals), uncollected rent is not deductible (IRS Publication 527). You can, however, deduct ordinary operating expenses, such as mortgage interest, utilities, and insurance, that continue to be incurred during the vacancy. Only landlords using the accrual method may deduct confirmed bad-debt losses, but this is an uncommon situation for small-scale property owners.
Can you deduct your own labor on rental property?
The IRS prohibits the deduction of personal labor as a business expense because you cannot pay yourself with after-tax dollars. However, expenses for repairs, insurance, and maintenance paid to external contractors are eligible for rental property tax deductions.
Can I deduct remodeling expenses for my rental property?
Typically, you deduct the expense of repairing a rental property like any other business cost. However, if the expense enhances, restores, or adapts the property to a new purpose, it is considered a capital improvement and should be depreciated. For instance, repairing a small section of a rental house’s roof is treated as a rental expense. However, if the entire roof is replaced, it is considered a capital improvement, as it involves restoring the building. In the latter case, the cost of the new roof should be depreciated over time.
Rental Property Deductions Bookkeeping
When claiming rental property deductions, you must separate personal expenses from rental expenses. If you use your rental property for personal purposes, such as a vacation home, then you can only deduct a portion of the cost.
To properly document tax-deductible expenses, keep detailed records, receipts, and invoices that show what you paid and when. If you are selected for an IRS audit, you will need to be able to show the legitimacy of your deductions.
By following these guidelines, you can take advantage of all available rental property deductions from the IRS. We always recommend consulting with a qualified tax professional to ensure you are up-to-date with all the latest tax laws and regulations applicable to your rental property business.
Hiring a Property Management Company
At Good Life Property Management, we make owning rental property easy. We care about you, your property, and your tenant. And we do it all, so you can Live the Good Life. Schedule a call to learn about how we can add value to your rental property business.Â
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