Real estate agents can claim quite a few deductions for their expenses. In general, expenses must be:
1) Ordinary and necessary for a real estate agent. Expenses must be common and accepted in the real estate business.
2) Reasonable – An expense is reasonable if it is not lavish or extravagant given the circumstances.
Some common real estate expense tax deductions include:
- Accounting fees.
- Legal fees.
- Advertising costs including newspaper ads, on-line ads, fliers and postcards.
- Signs and flags.
- Errors and omissions insurance.
- Professional dues including MLS board dues.
- State licensing fees.
- Auto expenses – either standard mileage or actual costs. These include tolls and parking fees. There are a number of documentation requirements that need to be met to take auto expenses.
- Office equipment – Be careful. Some office equipment may have to be expensed over more than one year.
- Office supplies and expenses.
- Seminars and classes related to the business.
- Business-related meals and entertainment – They may only be 50% deductible.
- Gifts – There are dollar limits to gifts.
- Wages paid to employees or family members.
- Home office – There are a number of use-related tests, as well as other limitations to the use of your home.
- Web-related expenses.
- Cell phone.
There are many potential deductions.
Just remember to ask yourself – Is this expense necessary to carry out my business? Is it a normal expense in my industry? And is this expense reasonable – not lavish or extravagant?
And remember, all expenses must be documented as per IRS requirements.
Food for Thought – Are Kickbacks a Tax Deductible Business Expense?
“Though many types of kickbacks are prohibited under federal and state law, kickbacks are not illegal per se. If a kickback does not specifically violate federal or state laws and such kickbacks are made to clients throughout the industry, the kickback may be normal, legal, and even tax deductible. According to section 162(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C.A. § 162), “all the ordinary and necessary expenses” that an individual or business incurs during the taxable year are deductible, including kickbacks as long as the kickbacks are not illegal and are not made to an official or employee of the federal government or to an official or employee of a foreign government.” – From West’s Encyclopedia of American Law
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