If I have no income but paid property tax on a home I own, do I still need to file taxes?

[truttger1]

I am a student living internationally. I rent my house in Oregon but I do not have any net income. I am wondering if I need to file a tax return this year because I still pay property taxes on my house. Will I get any money back from the property tax I pay? 

[AlanT · Accepted solution]

Yes, you must still file an income tax return even though your net income is zero.  You must report your rental income and expenses. If the income minus expenses result in a loss, you will be able to claim this loss against future income.    

Unfortunately, you will not get any money back from the property tax you pay.  

[Jkoolz01]

I own a house, not income property and unemployment. Would I get penalized by IRS since I own a house and don't have an income?

[MaryK4]

No, if you are not required to file a tax return if you have no taxable or reportable income. @Jkoolz01​​​​​​​

[Edited 01/20/2020|11:45pm PST]

[qq1960]

In this case, do you need to file both Federal and non-resident State for Oregon?

[MarilynG1]

@qq1960 If you have no Income and are not required to File a Federal tax return, you probably don't need to file a state return either.  

Click this link for more info on Federal Filing Requirements. 

This link has Oregon Filing Requirements. 

[qq1960]

Thanks. In other word, if you need to file Fed return with the income earned at other state, you will have to file the Oregon Non-resident return for the rental property net-income is zero (at a loss). Is this correct? 

[WendyN2]

Yes, that is correct. Here is a link to the instructions for filing an Oregon NR Return:

2020 Oregon Non-Resident Return Instructions

[ronglenna1]

One of my houses that i own and let my stepson and family live in it free/ I pay all taxes and repairs. I was under the understanding thar since family live in that house i could not claim anything becouse i am not getting any income from it.I have owned the house for 10 years and never claimed it. my email is [email address removed]. 

[Critter-3]

@ronglenna1 

You do NOT have a reportable rental property.... you just have a second home where family lives which is NOT reported on an income tax return. 

[NCperson]

@truttger1 but if this is a 2nd home. the property taxes and mortgage interest are deductible if you itemize. 

[Carl]

Removed by poster.

[xmasbaby0]

@Carl Please note that the original poster---who posted in 2019 or before --- is the one who is a student living internationally.   The most recent question in this thread is not from that student.   The most recent question is from a person who is allowing family members to live in a second home that they own.   Your reply may be confusing to that person.

[Carl]

Thanks @xmasbaby0 

I just removed my response entirely, as it just added to confusion. Sure wish once the OP marked the thread as answered, it would auto-lock so other's couldn't add to it. 🙂

[xmasbaby0]

@Carl These old threads can really get confusing.   Some of them keep going and going for years.