Taxation of Rental Property Grants

[Dave from Delaware]

I got a Downtown Development District Grant from the state for 20% of the cost of rehabilitating a rental property.  I received a 1099 MISC using Block 3.  I want to connect this to the rental property on the return but I don't see how to do this, as it is not rental income.    I also am worried that I will owe Social Security tax on the grant.  My question is, how do I deal with this on my return?

[Carl]

Box 3 was the correct box to report this in, as the grantor did not pay you rent. You'll report it exactly as printed on the form. It's personal income to you. What you use it for, determines it's taxability or non-taxability. In the end, it is taxable income to you. If used for qualified property improvements on the rental, it will be depreciated over time - depending on precisely what specific property improvements it's used for.

[Critter-3]

DO NOT try to enter the 1099 in the 1099 entry section of the program and try to "link" it to the Sch E ...   instead simply include it in the rental income on the Sch E and save yourself a bucket load of headaches.