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The Global Insight

How do I deduct rental property expenses?

Author

Mia Phillips

Updated on March 09, 2026

The standard mileage rate is the simplest way to deduct local travel expenses because it requires the least amount of tracking. Simply take the number of miles you drove for business and multiply it by the standard mileage rate to get your deduction. The standard deduction for 2019 and 2020 is 58 cents per mile.

Are rent expenses deductible?

Rent Expense – Rent is any amount you pay for the use of property you do not own. In general, you can deduct rent as an expense only if the rent is for property you use in your trade or business. If you have or will receive equity in or title to the property, the rent is not deductible.

Can I deduct rental expenses and take standard deduction?

You can deduct mortgage interest and real estate taxes on rental properties. You can also write off all standard operating expenses that go along with owning rental property: utilities, insurance, repairs and maintenance, care and maintenance of outdoor areas, and so forth.

Can I deduct food for rental property?

You can deduct 50% of meal expenses related to your rental property. When you are working on the Schedule E Rental Income and Expenses section of your return, go to the Expenses area and enter 50% of your total meal expenses as part of the travel expenses.

Can you deduct car rental expenses?

You can deduct actual expenses or the standard mileage rate, as well as business-related tolls and parking fees. If you rent a car, you can deduct only the business-use portion for the expenses.

What expenses can a landlord claim?

Allowable expenses a landlord can claim

  • water rates, council tax, gas and electricity.
  • landlord insurance.
  • costs of services, including the wages of gardeners and cleaners (as part of the rental agreement)
  • letting agents’ fees.
  • legal fees for lets of a year or less, or for renewing a lease of less than 50 years.

What rental expenses can I claim?

What landlord expenses are tax deductible?

Some examples of allowable expenses are:

  • General maintenance and repair costs.
  • Water rates, council tax and gas and electricity bills (if paid by you as the landlord)
  • Insurance (landlords’ policies for buildings, contents, etc)
  • Cost of services, e.g. cleaners, gardeners, ground rent.
  • Agency and property management fees.

Can you claim home office expenses for rental property?

Meaning – you can deduct home office expense even if you have a rental loss. You are still required to keep a floor plan of your house, keep all your receipts for insurance, maintenance, mortgage interest, utilities, etc. to calculate the home office expense.

What kind of deductions can I claim for rental income?

Rental expenses you can deduct You can deduct any reasonable expenses you incur to earn rental income. The two basic types of expenses are current expenses and capital expenses. For more information on what we consider a current or capital expense, go to Current expenses or capital expenses.

Can you deduct improvements on a rental property?

When you include the fair market value of the property or services in your rental income, you can deduct that same amount as a rental expense. You may not deduct the cost of improvements. A rental property is improved only if the amounts paid are for a betterment or restoration or adaptation to a new or different use.

How is rental income reported on your tax return?

All rental income must be reported on your tax return, and in general the associated expenses can be deducted from your rental income. If you are a cash basis taxpayer, you report rental income on your return for the year you receive it, regardless of when it was earned. As a cash basis taxpayer you generally deduct your rental expenses in …

What kind of expenses can I deduct on my taxes?

These expenses may include mortgage interest, property tax, operating expenses, depreciation, and repairs. You can deduct the ordinary and necessary expenses for managing, conserving and maintaining your rental property.