💸 Write-Offs Uncle Sam Hopes You’ll Forget (But You Shouldn’t)

Owning a home comes with more than just pride and a place to call your own — it also comes with a few tax perks that can save you thousands each year. And since Uncle Sam isn’t about to remind you of them, I’ll step in. 😉

Here are some common homeowner tax breaks to have on your radar (and don’t worry — you don’t need to be a CPA to follow along):

🏡 Mortgage Interest

If you’ve got a mortgage, the interest you pay could be deductible (up to $1 million for your primary home + a second home). The key? You’ll need to itemize instead of just using the standard deduction. It’s worth running the numbers to see which saves you the most.

🧾 Property Taxes

Those property taxes you grumble about every year? They’re fully deductible. Bonus tip: if you reimbursed the seller for prepaid property taxes when you bought your home, don’t forget to add that amount in too.

🌱 Green Energy Credits

This one’s technically a credit (even better than a deduction). Up to $500 off your federal income tax for making energy-efficient upgrades like new windows, roofing, heat pumps, or water heaters. Your wallet and the planet will thank you. 🌎

🏘️ Investment or Rental Property

If you’ve got a rental, you can deduct a ton: mortgage interest, insurance, utilities, maintenance, repairs, marketing, management fees… even depreciation. It can really offset that rental income come tax time.

💻 Home Office

Work from home? If you’ve got a space used exclusively for business, you may be able to deduct related expenses. (Yes, even a portion of your internet.)

🏖️ Short-Term Rentals

Here’s a sneaky one: if you rent out your personal home for 14 days or fewer in a year, that income is completely tax-free. Think football weekends, big events, or holidays.

✍️ The Bottom Line

Being a homeowner has some sweet tax benefits — but they only work if you actually use them. So don’t leave money on the table!

👉 Always confirm what applies to your situation with a trusted CPA or tax pro. And if you need a recommendation, I know some great ones.