Can landlords deduct for their personal time or repairs?

[Christopher Russell]

I have read through many threads and get the idea that many people are under the impression that they can deduct their own time on federal taxes. By own time I am referring to completing required repairs, managing rentals, driving to properties etc. I would love to be able to have these deductions, as my portfolio of rentals is my business, but the IRS website seems to state that this cannot be done:

Rental Expenses

Landlords can deduct the ordinary and necessary expenses for managing, conserving, and maintaining their rental property. Ordinary expenses are those that are common and generally accepted in the business. Necessary expenses are those that are deemed appropriate, such as interest, taxes, advertising, maintenance, utilities and insurance.

Other deductible expenses may include:

Expenses incurred from the time a property is made available for rent and is actually rented.
Some or all of the original investment in the rental property may be recovered through depreciation using Form 4562, Depreciation and Amortization. Subsequent improvements may also be depreciated.
The cost of repairs may also be deductible. This may include the cost of labor and materials. However, landlords cannot deduct the value of their own labor.

Any advise on how to get around this?

[Steven Hamilton II]

Christopher Russell,

I no way shape or form is your time something that is deductible. The costs associated with the activities are deductible. These would be items such as: mileage, items purchased, tools purchased to repair properties.

As I said, you can deduct the items associated; however, you cannot deduct an hourly wage for yourself unless you feel like adding that to a Schedule C and making it subject to Social Security and Medicare.

There are plenty of items deductible; however, just remember if you can't pay for it... it won't be deductible.

-Steven the Tax Guy

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