Hope Leitner, Realtor®, CRS

Owning a home can pay off at tax time. Take advantage of these home ownership related tax deductions and strategies to lower your tax bill: Mortgage Interest Deduction One of the neatest deductions itemizing homeowners can take advantage of is the mortgage interest deduction, which you claim on Schedule A. To get the mortgage interest deduction, your mortgage must be secured by your home - and your home can be a house, trailer, or boat, as long as you can sleep in it, cook in it, and it has a toilet. Interest you pay on a mortgage of up to $1 million - or $500,000 if you're married filing separately - is deductible when you use the loan to buy, build, or improve your home. If you take on another mortgage (including a second mortgage, home equity loan, or home equity line of credit) to improve your home or to buy or build a second home, that counts towards the $1 million limit. If you use loans secured by your home for other things - like sending your kid to college - yo

Buyers and Sellers who complete their transactions in 2014 may be able to take advantage of the tax deductions for closing costs when they file their return in 2015.  Contact your CPA to help you maximize the deductions available to you when you are buying and selling property.