All owners of our condo complex were assessed $55,000/unit, in 2019, for needed repairs due to dry rot of the building.
As I see it, the IRS would consider this a property improvement hands down with no question or second thought, because it very clearly meets the IRS definition of a property improvement. Therefore it adds to the cost basis of the property. This is actually more beneficial "in the long run" tax-wise. Were it treated as a tax, then due to SALT limits you would basically "lose out" totally and forever on the amount of *ALL* SALT taxes paid in excess of $10K (unless this is a rental property reported on SCH E)
But still, there is no way on this green earth that a $50K repair expense will make one iota of difference to your taxes, since rental property already operates at a loss every single year, on paper when you do your taxes.
If you claimed it as a rental property repair expense, I can practically guarantee you an audit. Claiming a $50K repair expense on a rental property is like hanging a sign out that reads, "HEY! IRS! AUDIT ME NOW! PLEASE! HURRY! QUICK! I WANT TO PAY LOTS OF FINES AND PENALTIES!"
So its a property improvement. If the condo is a rental, you will "NOT" enter it as a property improvement until "AFTER" the work is completed and the "new" work is actually placed "in service" as a rental asset. It doesn't matter if you pay the $50K in 2019 and work is not completed "for your specific unit" until 2020. You will not be able to capitalize it until you do your 2020 taxes next year.
Here's the IRS definition of a property improvement.
Property Improvement.
Property improvements are expenses you incur that add value to the property. Expenses for this are entered in the Assets/Depreciation section and depreciated over time. Property improvements can be done at any time after your initial purchase of the property. It does not matter if it was your residence or a rental at the time of the improvement. It still adds value to the property.
To be classified as a property improvement, two criteria must be met:
1) The improvement must become "a material part of" the property. For example, remodeling the bathroom, new cabinets or appliances in the kitchen. New carpet. Replacing that old Central Air unit.
2) The improvement must add "real" value to the property. In other words, when the property is appraised by a qualified, certified, licensed property appraiser, he will appraise it at a higher value, than he would have without the improvements.
