For Rent Paid in 2024 - Heat Included in Rent, my electricity bill covers heating. Should I include my electricity in full or guesstimate how much of it goes to heating?

[RobertB4444]

Please clarify - why are you trying to nail down your heating costs?  For most purposes the electricity bill should satisfy the question.  But if there is a specific reason why the heating costs are different then there may be some help in the details of your utility bills.

@pangitasomo 

[pangitasomo]

I'm unsure, there's a section in my turbotax forms that requests for 'Rent Paid in 2024 - Heat Included in Rent' alongside a 'Rent Paid in 2024 - Rent, heat not included'. It seems like I get a state-tax write-off (WI).

I asked around a bit (since I'm still fairly new to renting/filing taxes while living in an apartment) and it seems like some leases include heat as part of your rent so I believe that that's what the TurboTax section is asking for.

[Vanessa A]

Yes, WI does have a renters credit and on the form, it does ask if heat was included.  

The question is just asking if your heat is included as part of your rent or not.  If your heat is electric and the landlord pays the electricity, then you would say yes.  If your heat is electric and you pay the electric bill, then you would say no, it is not included. You do not need to do any type of calculation to determine how much your heat costs. 

[dahezu]

Thanks for the clarification, Vanessa! That makes sense. I was wondering, how do people usually verify their electricity bill details for tax purposes? In some places, checking and downloading duplicate bills online is easy—like in Pakistan, where I use KE Duplicate Bill to track mine. Is there a similar option in the U.S. for detailed bill breakdowns?

[RobertB4444]

Your utility will usually break down the costs that they charge for different categories of things.

@dahezu 

[dahezu]

Thanks for the info, @RobertB4444! That clears it up. 👍