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In Writing... Staging is Tax Deductible

By
Home Stager with Z Touch Design Services

I have often heard "refer to IRS form 523"  http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p523.pdf for more details about Staging services as tax right off.  I have also heard that any home improvements made close to the sale of the house could be used as a tax write off.  Eureka!  I actually found a legal website that states just that. 

7. Selling Costs

If you decide to sell your home, you'll be able to reduce your taxable capital gain by the amount of your selling costs.

Real estate broker's commissions, title insurance, legal fees, advertising costs, administrative costs, and inspection fees are all considered selling costs. In addition, the IRS recognizes that costs ordinarily attributed to decorating or repairs -- painting, wallpapering, planting flowers, maintenance, and the like -- are also selling costs if you complete them within 90 days of your sale and with the intention of making the home more saleable.

All selling costs are deducted from your gain. Your gain is your home's selling price, minus deductible closing costs, selling costs, and your tax basis in the property. (Your basis is the original purchase price, plus the cost of capital improvements, minus any depreciation.)

This wonderful bit of information came from NOLO Legal Solutions for You and Your Family.  This is great to forward onto clients or link to on your website.

http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/article-29693.html

 

 

Show All Comments Sort:
Holly Weatherwax
Associate Broker, Momentum Realty - Reston, VA
A Great Real Estate Experience

That is great information. Thanks for sharing.

Sep 09, 2009 07:41 AM
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

Thanks for sharing this piece of important information with us.

Sep 09, 2009 07:47 AM
Karen Otto
Home Star Staging - Plano, TX
Plano Home Staging, Dallas Home Staging, www.homes

I have heard that a home staging consultation is considered a marketing expense & deductible but not repairs or updates to the physical property.  This appears to say that if done within 90 days of the sale (does that mean is has to sell first? then repair? paint etc.?) then it can be deducted.  Regardless this is good information for us to follow up an with an accountant and another great reason to stage!

Thank you for posting Leanne.

Sep 09, 2009 10:07 AM
Leanne Zumbrunnen
Z Touch Design Services - Lenexa, KS

Karen - I take it that the work would be done before the sale (as part of the selling expenses).  You're right... I should have stated that contacting your tax adviser is always a good idea.  I was just happy to find it on a legal website.  I have heard that information for a while from Stagers but hadn't been able to find anyting to back it up.

Sep 09, 2009 10:23 AM
Laurie Calhoun
Gloria Home Staging, Inc. - Winter Springs, FL
Seminole County FL Home Stager

I knew that this was so, but it is good to see it in writing with all the details. Thanks for passing it on to us!

Sep 09, 2009 01:54 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Great, now we don't have to go looking for it.  I have told clients before that it was deductable and to consult with their accountant, but now I have more info to offer them.  Thanks.

Nov 10, 2009 05:24 AM
Leanne Zumbrunnen
Z Touch Design Services - Lenexa, KS

Hey Sharon, I was very excited to find it too.  Finding it on a legal website that we can refer clients to was a great find.

Nov 10, 2009 02:41 PM