Houma LA Real Estate

1. You Have to Itemize Your Return to Claim Your Deductions
…..nearly 40% of homeowners lose out on their major tax advantages every year when they fail to itemize their income taxes
2. Plan Ahead and Be Strategic When Taking a Home Office Deduction
According to the Small Business Administration, the average home office deduction is $3,686 – multiply that by your tax bracket – 15%, 20%, 30% or whatever it is, and that’s what you’ll save on your taxes by writing off your home office….
3. Tax Relief for Loan Modifications, Short Sales and Foreclosures Is Only Around Through 2012
Under the Mortgage Debt Forgiveness Relief Act of 2007, the IRS is currently not charging income taxes on CODI incurred through a loan mod, short sale or foreclosure on most primary residences through 2012
4. Project the Income Tax Consequences of a Refinance or Property Tax Appeal
Homeowners everywhere are working on applying for a lower property tax bill on the basis of the last few years’ decline in their home’s value. Those who have equity have flocked en masse to refinance…….

5. Don’t Forget Those Closing Costs
If you bought or refinanced your home in 2010, you may be so focused on your mortgage interest and property tax deductions that you forget all about your closing costs.

For more details, read the rest of the article at

http://www.trulia.com/blog/taranelson/2011/03/5_tax_tips_tricks_and_traps_for_homeowners?ecampaign=cnews201103A&eurl=www.trulia.com%2Fblog%2Ftaranelson%2F2011%2F03%2F5_tax_tips_tricks_and_traps_for_homeowners