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The Global Insight

How do I figure the cost basis of a rental property?

Author

James Williams

Updated on March 10, 2026

The cost basis for rental real estate is your acquisition cost (including any mortgage debt you obtained) minus the value of the land it’s built on. If you paid $200,000 for a duplex and the land is appraised for $50,000, your basic cost basis is $150,000.

What can be included in cost basis of investment property?

Your cost basis includes the property’s purchase price and acquisition expenses plus most of the expenses on this list. The $2,000 for general home repairs isn’t added to the cost basis (though it could still be tax deductible if this is an investment property).

Does stepped up basis apply to rental property?

You will just use your stepped up basis (FMV of property on date of inheritance) and this new basis will be used for depreciation. For example, use the full 27.5 year, S/L for the rental house (less land) and the start date will be the date when the rental property was transferred to you.

How do I calculate depreciation basis on rental property?

To calculate the annual amount of depreciation on a property, you divide the cost basis by the property’s useful life. In our example, let’s use our existing cost basis of $206,000 and divide by the GDS life span of 27.5 years. It works out to being able to deduct $7,490.91 per year or 3.6% of the loan amount.

What is basis of inherited rental property?

The basis of property inherited from a decedent is generally one of the following: The fair market value (FMV) of the property on the date of the decedent’s death (whether or not the executor of the estate files an estate tax return (Form 706, United States Estate (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax Return)).

How to determine the basis of a rental property?

Determine the original basis of the rental property. If you bought or built the property, the basis will be the purchase price or the cost of construction.

What makes up the basis of the sale of a property?

Selling costs increase the basis of the property and includes all costs incurred in disposing of the asset in a sale, such as commissions and fees paid to real estate agents, lawyers and accountants, as well as advertising expenses and any other costs involved.

When do you have to divide taxes between rental and personal use?

Property Changed to Rental Use. If you change your home or other property (or a part of it) to rental use at any time other than the beginning of your tax year, you must divide yearly expenses, such as taxes and insurance, between rental use and personal use.

What are the different types of rental properties?

These include condominiums, cooperatives, property changed to rental use, renting only part of your property, and a not-for-profit rental activity. Chapter 5 discusses the rules for rental income and expenses when there also is personal use of the dwelling unit, such as a vacation home.