Maximizing Your Savings: 11 Tax Breaks for Homeowners and Buyers

By: ROS Team

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Homeownership comes with many benefits, including the opportunity to save money through various tax breaks. As a homeowner or buyer, it’s important to understand the tax breaks available to you to maximize your savings.

This guide will provide an overview of 11 tax breaks that are relevant to homeowners and home buyers. Including mortgage interest deductions, property tax deductions, and energy-efficient home improvement credits.

In this guide, we’ll cover the eligibility requirements, maximum amounts allowed, and how each tax break works. With this guide, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of the tax breaks available to you as a homeowner or home buyer. So let’s dive in and start maximizing your savings!

1. Mortgage Interest Deduction

The Mortgage Interest Deduction is one of the most well-known tax breaks for homeowners. It allows you to deduct the interest paid on a mortgage for your primary residence from your taxable income. This can result in significant savings on your annual tax bill.

Mortgage Interest Deduction
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Eligibility Requirements:

  • The mortgage must be for your primary residence.
  • The mortgage must be for a loan used to buy, build, or improve the home.
  • The loan must be secured by the home.
  • The total amount of mortgage debt cannot exceed a certain limit, which changes from year to year.

 

Maximum Amount Allowed for Deduction:

The mortgage interest you can deduct is limited to the interest paid on the first $750,000 of mortgage debt for a married couple filing jointly or the first $375,000 for a single filer.

This limit applies to debt taken out after December 15, 2017. For debt taken out prior to that date, the limit is $1 million for a married couple filing jointly and $500,000 for a single filer.

It’s important to keep accurate records of the mortgage interest paid throughout the year, as this information will be required when calculating your deduction. You can typically find this information on your mortgage statement or by contacting your lender.

2. Property Tax Deduction

The Property Tax Deduction is another tax break available to homeowners. It allows you to deduct the amount of property taxes you pay on your primary residence from your taxable income.

Property Tax Deduction
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Eligibility Requirements:

  • The taxes must be paid on your primary residence.
  • A state or local government must impose taxes.

 

Maximum Amount Allowed for Deduction:

There is no specific limit to the amount of property taxes that you can deduct. You can deduct all of the property taxes you pay throughout the year as long as they meet the eligibility requirements.

It’s important to keep accurate records of the property taxes paid throughout the year, as this information will be required when calculating your deduction. You can typically find this information on your property tax bill or by contacting your local tax authority.

3. Energy Efficient Home Improvements Tax Credit

The Energy-Efficient Home Improvements Tax Credit is a tax break for homeowners who make energy-efficient improvements to their primary residence.

This credit allows you to claim a portion of the cost of qualifying upgrades on your tax return, reducing your taxable income and lowering your overall tax bill.

Home Improvements Tax Credit
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Eligibility Requirements:

  • The improvements must be made to your primary residence.
  • The improvements must be designed to increase the energy efficiency of your home.
  • The improvements must be installed between January 1st and December 31st of the tax year for which you’re claiming the credit.
  • The improvements must be made to an existing home and must not be part of a new construction project.

 

Maximum Amount Allowed for Credit:

The maximum amount of the Energy-Efficient Home Improvements Tax Credit is 10% of the cost of the improvements, up to a total of $500. This credit is only available for improvements made in 2021 and 2022.

Examples of Eligible Energy-Efficient Improvements include:

  • Insulating materials.
  • Energy-efficient windows, doors, and skylights.
  • Energy-efficient heating and cooling systems.
  • Energy-efficient water heaters.

4. First-Time Homebuyer Credit

The First-Time Homebuyer Credit is a tax credit available to first-time homebuyers. This credit can provide significant savings on your annual tax bill and help offset some of the costs associated with purchasing your first home.

First Time Homebuyer Credit
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Eligibility Requirements:

  • You must be a first-time homebuyer, defined as someone who hasn’t owned a home in the previous three years.
  • The home must be your primary residence.
  • The home must be purchased between January 1st and December 31st of the tax year for which you’re claiming the credit.

 

Maximum Amount Allowed for Credit:

The maximum amount of the First-Time Homebuyer Credit is $8,000 for married couples filing jointly or $4,000 for single filers. The credit is only available for homes purchased in 2008, 2009, and 2010.

The First-Time Homebuyer Credit provides valuable financial assistance to those taking the first step in homeownership. By taking advantage of this tax credit, first-time homebuyers can reduce their taxable income and lower their overall tax bill.

5. Home Office Deduction

The Home Office Deduction is a tax break available to those who use a portion of their home for business purposes. This deduction allows you to claim a portion of the expenses related to maintaining your home office, reducing your taxable income, and lowering your overall tax bill.

Home Office Deduction
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Eligibility Requirements:

  • Your home office must be used exclusively for business purposes.
  • Your home office must be your primary place of business.
  • You must regularly use your home office for business activities.

 

Maximum Amount Allowed for Deduction:

The amount of the Home Office Deduction is calculated based on the percentage of your home that is used for business purposes. You can claim a portion of your home’s expenses, such as mortgage interest, property taxes, insurance, utilities, and repairs, based on this percentage.

By taking advantage of the Home Office Deduction, homeowners who use a portion of their home for business can reduce their taxable income and lower their overall tax bill.

This tax break is an excellent way to offset the costs of maintaining a home office, making it easier to run a successful home-based business.

6. Capital Gains Exclusion

The Capital Gains Exclusion is a tax break available to homeowners who sell their primary residence. This exclusion allows you to exclude a portion of the profits from the sale of your home from your taxable income, reducing your overall tax bill.

Capital Gains Exclusion
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Eligibility Requirements:

  • The home must have been your primary residence for at least two of the five years leading up to the sale.
  • You must not have claimed the capital gains exclusion on another home within the previous two years.
  • The maximum exclusion is limited to $250,000 for single filers or $500,000 for married couples filing jointly.

 

Maximum Amount Allowed for Exclusion:

The maximum amount of the Capital Gains Exclusion is limited to $250,000 for single filers or $500,000 for married couples filing jointly. To claim the exclusion, you must have lived in the home as your primary residence for at least two of the five years leading up to the sale.

7. Mortgage Insurance Premium Deduction

The Mortgage Insurance Premium Deduction is a tax break available to homeowners who have mortgage insurance on their home loans. This deduction allows you to deduct a portion of the premiums you pay for mortgage insurance. reducing your taxable income and lowering your overall tax bill.

Mortgage Insurance Premium Deduction
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Eligibility Requirements:

  • The mortgage insurance must be in place on a qualified residence, which includes your primary home and one other secondary home.
  • The mortgage insurance premiums must be paid in the tax year for which you’re claiming the deduction.
  • Your adjusted gross income must be less than a certain amount, which is set by the IRS each year.

 

Maximum Amount Allowed for Deduction:

The amount of the Mortgage Insurance Premium Deduction is limited to the lesser of the actual amount of premiums paid or the maximum amount allowed by the IRS. The maximum amount is set each year and is based on your adjusted gross income.

8. State and Local Bond Financing Tax Credit

The State and Local Bond Financing Tax Credit is a tax break available to homeowners who have invested in state and local bonds. This tax credit allows you to claim a portion of the interest earned on these bonds as a credit against your taxable income, reducing your overall tax bill.

State and Local Bond Financing Tax Credit
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Eligibility Requirements:

  • The bonds must be issued by a state or local government.
  • The bonds must be designated as tax-exempt by the issuer.
  • The bonds must be used to finance qualified expenses, such as public infrastructure or housing programs.

Maximum Amount Allowed for Credit:

The amount of the State and Local Bond Financing Tax Credit is equal to the interest earned on the bonds. This amount is calculated based on the bond’s face value and the interest rate set by the issuer.

9. Moving Expense Deduction

The Moving Expense Deduction is a tax break available to homeowners who have relocated for work-related reasons. This deduction allows you to deduct certain expenses incurred during the move, reducing your taxable income and lowering your overall tax bill.

Moving Expense Deduction
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Eligibility Requirements:

  • The move must be work-related, meaning it must be necessary for you to start a new job or work in a different location.
  • The new job must be at least 50 miles farther from your old home than your previous job location.
  • The expenses must be directly related to the move, such as transportation and storage fees for your belongings.

 

Maximum Amount Allowed for Deduction:

The amount of the Moving Expense Deduction is limited to the actual expenses incurred during the move.

This can include expenses such as transportation and storage fees for your belongings. As well as any costs associated with selling or renting your old home.

By taking advantage of the Moving Expense Deduction, homeowners who have relocated for work-related reasons can deduct certain expenses incurred during the move, reducing their taxable income and lowering their overall tax bill.

This tax break is an excellent way to offset the costs associated with relocating for work, making it easier to manage homeownership expenses.

10. Retirement Savings Contributions Credit

The Retirement Savings Contributions Credit, also known as the Saver’s Credit, is a tax credit available to eligible homeowners who make contributions to their retirement savings accounts. This tax credit allows you to claim a portion of your contributions as a credit against your taxable income, reducing your overall tax bill.

Retirement Savings Contributions Credit
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Eligibility Requirements:

  • Your adjusted gross income must be below a certain amount, which is set by the IRS each year and based on your filing status.
  • You must contribute to a qualified retirement savings account, such as an IRA or 401(k) plan.
  • You must be at least 18 years old and not a full-time student.

 

Maximum Amount Allowed for Credit:

The Retirement Savings Contributions Credit is equal to a percentage of the amount you contribute to your retirement savings account, up to a maximum credit of $1,000 for individuals and $2,000 for joint filers. The exact percentage depends on your adjusted gross income and filing status.

11. Disaster Tax Relief

Disaster Tax Relief is a set of tax provisions available to homeowners who have been affected by a declared disaster. These tax provisions provide relief to taxpayers in the form of tax credits, deductions, or other benefits, making it easier for homeowners to recover from the financial impact of a disaster.

Disaster Tax Relief
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Eligibility Requirements:

  • The federal government must have declared the disaster as a disaster area.
  • The taxpayer must have suffered a loss as a result of the disaster
  • The taxpayer must meet any other specific requirements set by the IRS for each individual tax provision.

 

Types of Disaster Tax Relief:

Disaster Tax Relief can include a variety of tax provisions, including:

  • Suspension of certain tax deadlines.
  • Extension of time to file tax returns and pay taxes.
  • Special provisions for casualty losses, including a higher standard deduction amount and the option to deduct personal property losses that are not covered by insurance.
  • Increased deductions for charitable contributions made to disaster relief organizations.
  • Tax-free distributions from IRAs for disaster victims.
  • Waiver of certain penalties for taxpayers affected by a disaster.

Tax Breaks for Homeowners: Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a homeowner or a homebuyer, taking advantage of these tax breaks can make a significant difference in your financial situation. So make sure you’re aware of these tax breaks for homeowners and take advantage of them when you can. With a little planning and preparation, you can effectively reduce your tax liability and make the most of your investment in your home.