Cost basis for rental property

Last year was first time  i started renting out a single family house (bought Jan, started rent in April). I am trying to understand the cost basis when filling this section out in turbotax. In turbotax it says that home improvements can increase my cost basis and give a greater tax benefit so does that mean having HIGHER cost basis will lead to better tax refunds from IRS ? I tried to read about cost basis but still dont understand