Can I deduct expenses I paid for improvements on a home that I sold. I have capitol gains

[bobking13]

Are the improvements deductible from the capitol gains that I made when I sold the house. A second home.

[Bsch4477]

The cost of improvements made in order to add value to your second home is added to your cost basis which decreases your capital gain when you sell. 

[Opus 17]

See publication 523 for a discussion of which costs do and don't adjust your basis.  Most importantly, there is a difference between improvements (which do adjust basis) and repairs and maintenance (which do not).

https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-523