Do you need a new roof and want to minimize its financial impact on you? You’re probably wondering, “Is a new roof tax deductible?” As trusted certified roofing contractors in Hot Springs, Near Me Roofing can help you understand the tax implications of a new roof and determine if you qualify for a tax credit.
Understanding Home Improvement and Repair Tax Deductions
If you’re trying to understand how the IRS gives tax deductions to home repair programs, you should know the difference in how the government agency defines home improvements and home repairs.
Home Improvement Definition
The IRS defines home improvement as any work you perform on your home that improves its value or extends its useful life. The most common examples of home improvements include:
- Kitchen renovations
- Finishing a basement
- Adding a bathroom
- Installing a new roof
Consider your home improvements a tax deduction if they qualify as capital improvements by significantly improving the value of your home.
Defining Home Repairs
The IRS defines home repairs as anything that maintains the current value or condition of the home without increasing property worth. Examples of home repair include:
- Fixing a burst pipe
- Roof repairs
- Patching holes in the siding
- Improving foundation issues
In general, your home repairs don’t qualify for tax deductions.
Roof Repair Vs. Roof Replacement
Whether your roof work can help you obtain a tax deduction depends on whether you categorize it as a repair or replacement. What’s the difference between the two terms? Determining whether you’re buying roof repairs or replacement remains somewhat subjective, so always talk with your roofing contractor and tax professionals so you don’t make mistakes on your taxes.
Defining Roof Repair
Is a new roof tax deductible? Not if you categorize the work as repairs. Repairs include fixing a small, contained portion of your roof, such as a 10-foot-square section of shingles, flashing in certain areas, or a single ventilation opening.
You can’t deduct these expenses from your taxes. Thankfully, they cost much less than full roof replacement.
Roof Replacement Definition
Many roof replacements qualify for tax deductions because they extend the roof’s usefulness and also add significant value to your home. However, if you’re replacing a newer roof because of storm damage, the IRS may categorize it as repairs instead. One way of ensuring it gives a tax deduction is by upgrading to an energy-efficient roof.
Other Tax Considerations
Before committing to a new roof for tax purposes, consider the following factors that could affect how much you can deduct.
Home Office
Do you have an office in your home? You’re probably already deducting the square footage of your office space from your taxes. The same practice applies to your roof. If you’re replacing the portion that covers your office, you can deduct it as a business expense.
This deduction also applies if you rent out a portion of your home to a tenant. Work with your accountant to help optimize the deductions you can take if you use a portion of your home for income purposes.
Selling Your Home
If you’re replacing your roof for the purpose of selling your home, you can still qualify for the deductions. When you’re in the process of renovating your home so you can sell it, keep track of the improvements you make. Keep the following considerations in mind when selling your home:
- If you lose money when you sell your primary residence, you can’t deduct the loss from your taxes.
- If you’ve lived in your home between two and five years, you won’t pay taxes on a certain percentage of the money you make selling the home.
- Keep records of your improvements and the sale of your home for three to five years.
Applying the Deduction
If you determine your roof replacement qualifies for the tax deduction, how do you apply for it? In most cases, you can deduct the roof from your taxes for the next ten years on a depreciating scale, though the duration may differ depending on various circumstances. This means if you spent $10,000 on a new roof, you’ll likely deduct $1,000 from your taxes every year for the duration.
Reach Out to Near Me Roofing Today
Is a new roof tax deductible? That depends on several factors, but now you have a basic understanding of whether you can save money this way. As a trusted roofing company, Near Me Roofing can help you understand important questions such as “How long does a roof last,” or “How can I care for my metal roofing?”
To book a consultation, contact them today.