Deductions for Realtors

Gross receipts from sales and/or services

• Copies of checks received, commission reports and or 1099 Misc Forms

Advertising

• Business cards, flyers, ads in real estate publications, sponsorships, postage for mailers, social media, open house expense, Online sites

Bad Debt

• Money loaned or invested that there is no hope of recapturing

Bank Charges

• Fees charged by banks to maintain an account, wire fees, ATM withdraw, or other bank services

Children Paid

• Money paid to children for helping with such things as delivering fliers and/ or product, stuffing envelopes, cleaning office and/or car, modeling.  Must keep a detailed log of tasks and how paid.​

Commissions and Fees

• Fees paid to real estate office, commissions splits, pay to assistants, etc.

Computer, Internet, and Tech

• Software, Online services, Internet expense, computer maintenance

Contract Labor

• Services paid to individuals and sub-contractors. You must issue a form 1099 MISC to any individual that is paid over $600 in a year.

Contract Labor

• Services paid to individuals and sub-contractors. You must issue a form 1099 MISC to any individual that is paid over $600 in a year.

Educational Expense

• Seminars, classes, home shows, books, etc.

Equipment Purchased

• Any equipment purchased for the ordinary and necessary operation of the business

Event Expense

• Exhibits for publicity. Costs include venue expense, displays, food, samples, etc.

Gifts

• Gifts to sellers, buyers, other Realtors, office help, lenders, title officers, etc. Limited to $25 per person per year

Home Office

• A separate room in your home to do business and accounting. A percentage of utility bills, home owners or renters insurance, property tax, mortgage interest, refinance fees, repairs and maintenance, cleaning supplies, office decor, etc may be taken. It is determined by square footage of office space vs square footage of the entire house

Insurance

• Errors and omission, liability, warranties, personal property, workers comp, unemployment

Interest

• Interest paid on loans for equipment, mortgages, business buildings, business loans, lines of credit, credit cards, etc.

Legal and Professional Services

• Lawyers, inspectors, appraisers, accountants, franchise fees, consultants, etc.

Meals

• Meals with clients, potential clients, and associates. Note: entertainment is no longer deductible

Mileage

• There are two ways to take a vehicle expense. If you choose mileage, you take the mileage used when picking up product, supplies, office supplies, meetings, handing out advertising or business cards, meals with clients, etc. The second option is Vehicle (see Vehicle deduction).

Office Expense

• Office supplies, computer supplies, Internet, postage, phone apps, beverage services

Office Space Rent

• Rent for a separate office outside your home, rental fees for equipment booths for shows, technical equipment, storage of equipment, and records

Officer Wages

• The IRS law states that an officer (owner) of a corporation, must be paid a reasonable wage for services rendered to the company. They must be paid with a W-2 just like all employees

Purchases

• Any equipment, office furniture, computers, vehicles that cost over $500

Returns and Allowances

• Money refunded for returned products or services, discounts given and rebates on sales

Supplies

• Signs, flyer boxes, key boxes, meeting supplies and refreshments

Taxes and Licenses

• Realtor licenses, testing for license, property tax on equipment, payroll taxes, Realtor dues and fees

Telephone

• Cell phone, extra phone lines into home for business, fax, office land line

Travel

• Hotels, airfare, cab fare (ex. Uber or Lyft), public transit, parking, cleaning while away from home, business trip log, bus, train, etc.

Vehicle

• There are two ways to take a vehicle expense. If you choose vehicle, you take the expense using the vehicle: fuel, parts, mechanics, oil changes, car washes, insurance, etc. Along with taking the vehicle expense you can also depreciate the vehicle. Note that unless the vehicle is used solely for the business you must track business use vs. personal use. The second option is Mileage (see Mileage deduction).

Wages

• Salaries, wages, bonuses, and commissions paid to employees. An Employee is an individual who an employer controls where, when, and how the work is done, hours worked and use of equipment.

Website Expense

• Internet hosting and services, website design, and maintenance​