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New Member
posted Jun 3, 2019 12:11:27 PM

I live with a roommate and we are both on the lease. We split bills evenly. Is there any thing we need to know before doing our tax return? This is our first time.

My roommate gives me the money for rent and I pay it. Some of the utilities are under my roommates name and some are under my name. We each pay half. How should we go about filing for taxes?

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1 Best answer
Level 15
Jun 3, 2019 12:11:29 PM

You each just file your own tax returns.  You are not going to be entering rent or utilities on your federal tax return. You are not filing your tax return together.  You each can file as Single and enter your own income information.  

There is not a rent deduction or credit on your Federal return.  If your state has anything for renters you will be prompted to enter your rent info when you complete your state return.  As far as I know, the states that have anything for rent are Arizona, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin.

3 Replies
Level 15
Jun 3, 2019 12:11:29 PM

You each just file your own tax returns.  You are not going to be entering rent or utilities on your federal tax return. You are not filing your tax return together.  You each can file as Single and enter your own income information.  

There is not a rent deduction or credit on your Federal return.  If your state has anything for renters you will be prompted to enter your rent info when you complete your state return.  As far as I know, the states that have anything for rent are Arizona, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin.

New Member
Jun 3, 2019 12:11:30 PM

I am from California, so they will ask for my rent?

Level 15
Jun 3, 2019 12:11:31 PM