Could I Rent my Property to my Parents?

Could I Rent my Property to my Parents?

Member since 2021 · 4 posts · 1 vote

The title is basically my question but with a couple caveats. I am a beginner so bear with me but lets say couple years down the line I have a booming rental business and I have the money now where I want to buy my parents a home, let's say for $1 million. Could I buy the property though my rental business to get all the tax benefits of doing this while charging my parents a stupid low rent, say $100/month. Firstly would this be legal? And secondly would it make sense for me to do it from a financial standpoint?

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Rental Property Investor · L.A. Ca · Member since 2020 · 120 posts · 43 votes
5y

I just googled renting to family members and here is one that came up. There are several of them. https://certifiedtaxcoach.org/five-tips-to-avoiding-the-tax-hazards-of-renting-to-relatives/#:~:text=Rent%20at%20Fair%20Market%20Value&text=If%20they%20rent%20below%20fair,for%20more%20than%2014%20days.

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  • Theresa HarrisPro Member
    Member since 2019 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    5y

    You can buy and rent to your parents, but I don't know about the really low rent.  It may cause problems because you'd deliberately be losing money and could run into problems with the tax man.

  • Rental Property Investor · L.A. Ca · Member since 2020 · 120 posts · 43 votes
    5y

    I just read some article online about this. You have to ask an appropriate rent or you get taxed for not charging enough. Check it out with your lawyer and CPA.

  • Member since 2021 · 4 posts · 1 vote
    5y
    Originally posted by @Nicole W.:

    I just read some article online about this. You have to ask an appropriate rent or you get taxed for not charging enough. Check it out with your lawyer and CPA.

    Ahh ok that makes sense, if possible could you link me the article? 

  • Rental Property Investor · L.A. Ca · Member since 2020 · 120 posts · 43 votes
    5y

    I just googled renting to family members and here is one that came up. There are several of them. https://certifiedtaxcoach.org/five-tips-to-avoiding-the-tax-hazards-of-renting-to-relatives/#:~:text=Rent%20at%20Fair%20Market%20Value&text=If%20they%20rent%20below%20fair,for%20more%20than%2014%20days.

  • Member since 2021 · 4 posts · 1 vote
    5y

    Thank you so much!

  • Joe SplitrockPro Member
    Moderator
    Rental Property Investor · Sioux Falls, SD · Member since 2015 · 9k+ posts · 18k+ votes
    5y

    @Yash Gautam if you claim it as a rental property, you are required by law to rent it at fair market value. In the situation you described, renting a million dollar house at $100 a month would be considered tax fraud. In other words it is illegal. 

  • Real Estate Investor · Williamson County, TX · Member since 2011 · 1k+ posts · 961 votes
    5y

    @Yash Gautam Tax fraud if you file your taxes and claim losses or claim no profit on your rentals and had your parents paid a fair market rent you would have had profit to be taxed.

    If you support your parents over a certain %, that is a tax write off.

  • Member since 2021 · 4 posts · 1 vote
    5y

    Ok, I understand thank y'all for the clarifications!

  • Flipper/Rehabber · Memphis, TN · Member since 2020 · 758 posts · 285 votes
    5y

    Yes, you can definitely rent it out to your parents but not with that price. You may get in trouble. 

  • Basit SiddiqiBusiness Member
    Accountant · New York, NY · Member since 2015 · 8k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    5y

    @Yash Gautam

    To get the benefits of rental real estate from a tax perspective, you need to charge market rent. 

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