Tax Situation With Rental Property - "Primary Residence"

[Slaiman Atayee]

Had a question about what the IRS requirements are to establish a permanent residence. I have lived in my parents house for the 2 years I've been out of school and I am not paying rent nor am I on my parent's mortgage (got to love parents). I bought an investment property in DC last year in July (07/2017) and spent the last half of the year rehabbing the place to get it rent ready, which it finally was as of January 2018, when I began listing it for rent. According to a CPA I talked to, after I bought my place, the DC residence could be considered a permanent residence given that I do not pay rent nor am I on the mortgage of my parents house. I wanted to know what I would have to do to establish my parents home as my primary residence, and refer to my DC property as an investment. Thanks!