Can a tenant file for tax deductions?

By Tenant

Can a person who is renting an apartment apply for tax deductions? Or is it only applicable if you are a landlord? Most tenants ask these questions hoping that somehow they can get a refund every time they file for their tax returns.

Now here is the fact, because a landlord pays most or all the expenses for the up keeping of his rental properties, he can get most or all the corresponding deductions when he file his tax returns.  Take this as an example, if there is a required plumbing or repair to be done on the property he usually pays for the work done by the plumber or the repair man and then deducts the expenses he spent when he files for his tax returns.  However there are some instances that a tenant pays for some expenses for the property which is typically paid for by the landlord she may be able to deduct the costs she paid in her tax returns.

Nevertheless, a tenant cannot file for a tax deduction if the only thing he is paying is his rent. Currently there is no federal tax deduction for home rentals in the US but there is a federal tax deduction for those who pay the mortgage of their house. This fact is what frustrates most of the tenants and the renters for they cannot use the rent as a means to have a tax refund not like homeowners. Homeowners can file for a tax deduction for their mortgage payments and expenses related to it.

There are states like California and Indiana that have this program that allow tenants that have low income to deduct their rent on their income taxes. Still this law only applies to those renters who have a limited renter’s credits in their state and does not provide any federal tax break.

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