Should the $3236 I spent repairing and maintaining my rental property be deducted from my taxable income? Whether I enter $3236 or $0, my refund does not change.

[TomD8]

Your rental expenses are deducted from your rental income.  Both are reported on Schedule E of your tax return.

[walkerbh]

Thanks for taking the time to answer. I get that the $3236 in repair costs reduces my rental income, but shouldn't that also reduce my taxable income and therefore my tax refund? I'm confused as to why my refund does not change based on my rental income.

[TomD8]

Your deduction may be limited by the IRS' passive activity loss rules.  See page E-3 of this IRS reference:

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040se.pdf