tree removal expense?

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
April 14, 2020
16 replies
100 views

I paid $3600 for removal of dead trees in a wooded area of the one-acre lot where my rental house is. The trees were not a danger to the house, but I was concerned they could fall on the adjacent power line serving the house. Is this reportable as a maintenance expense?

Best answer by DavidD66

It's definitely a deductible expense.

ColeenD3

Level 15

Please see this answer from PaulaM.

If the tree removal was necessary for overall safety of structure/tenants or resulted from weather damage, then it is an expense. The expense category you selected will work.

If the tree removal was part of a landscaping endeavor, then you would capitalize and depreciate.

roaringbranchAuthor

Level 2

Thanks for your help. Based on your response, I think the tree removals qualify as an expense in the "overall safety" category, since the trees were dead and posed a hazard of falling. If they were alive, I definitely would not have done the work for landscaping reasons.