Tax Tip #5: Disaster Damage to your Home

#5 - Home Damage Caused by a Disaster If your home experienced damage from a disaster, such as a tornado, hurricane or fire, you may be able to deduct the amount that was not reimbursed by your home insurance. To find out how much you are able to deduct, first figure out what your Adjusted Gross Income is. This refers to the amount that you will actually be taxed on after you subtract all of your expenses and deductions. These are also known as your "above the line" deductions. Once you know what your AGI is, multiply it by 10%. Add $100. Then subtract that from the amount of damage not reimbursed. This gives you your damage deductible....

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Tax Tip #4: Adding "Green" Home Improvements

#4 - Energy Efficient Home Improvements Did you have a big remodeling project this year? You may be able to deduct some of those expenses if they were energy-efficient improvements by way of the Nonbusiness Energy Property Credit. Doing things like installing insulation, new windows or furnaces qualify. However, you can only claim $500 over your lifetime. If you have installed a solar electric system, solar hot water heaters, wind turbines, fuel cell property, or geothermal heat pumps in your home, look into the Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit. This credit will give back 30% of what you spend on running those features. There...

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Tax Tip #3: Paying Property Tax

#3: Paying Property Tax If you own a home, you were definitely responsible for property tax. The good news is that it is deductible. You usually pay these taxes as part of your monthly mortgage payments, so your lender will have all the information you need spelled out on your annual statement. Sometimes real estate taxes can be deducted on your federal tax return whether they are deductible by the state's rules or not. If you happened to buy a house this year, you no doubt paid plenty of property tax upfront. Be sure to find out how much of that you can deduct. It can be found on your settlement documents. Ask a tax professional for help...

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