Rental property expenses, no 2020 income

[ue1]

Closing escrow on a rental SFR in a week.

Will not have expenses (closing, repairs, etc) in 2020, but no income.

Will I be able to deduct all these closing costs and repairs expenses, in 2020?

[Critter-3]

Since the property will not be available for rent or actually rented in 2020 then you will not enter anything about the rental on the 2020 return since it is not a rental property yet.

On the 2021 return they cost basis of the return will be used for depreciation purposes.  Cost basis = purchase price + cost to buy + improvements/repairs.  

I think you need to educate yourself on what the IRS expects form a landlord on a Sch E :    https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-527

Turbotax FAQs:

• What kinds of rental property expenses can I deduct?
• What is rental depreciation and how does it differ from an expense?
• How do I handle capital improvements and depreciation for my rental?

[ue1]

If the property is made available for rent, for example - published on the MLS, and other rental platforms (but no lease is signed in 2020) ... will I then be able to deduct the closing costs, travel , etc in the 2020 tax return?

[AmeliesUncle]

Expenses AFTER it was made available for rent are deductible.

In most cases, all expenses BEFORE it was made available for rent are added to your "Basis" for depreciation.

[Critter-3]

All expenses paid prior to the property being available for rent are added to the cost basis without exception.