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New Member
posted Feb 5, 2025 9:25:16 AM

Own a home in another state

I moved to Florida in 2023 and have a home in Pennsylvania still. My son lives in it but doesn’t pay rent. Last summer, we went home to take care of some repairs. Are these expenses a write off? We had to replace the main cast iron drain. 

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2 Replies
Level 15
Feb 5, 2025 9:28:17 AM

No.   You are not entering the house as a rental property and are not collecting rent or preparing a Schedule E for rent.  You cannot enter your trip home to PA as a tax deduction.   You simply own a "second" home for which you cannot deduct expenses for repairs or improvements.  Save the records of anything you do to the home for someday when you sell the house; some of them may count as capital improvements.

Expert Alumni
Feb 5, 2025 9:28:43 AM

No, they are not a write off.  Any capital improvements will be added to the original purchase price which will reduce gain on the sale.  The expense for the main cast iron drain would be considered a capital improvement.

 

Keep track of these cost as long as you own the home. Any maintenance cost are not deductible such as insurance, repairs, lawn care, utilities, etc.