A lot of homeowners are living in one of their largest tax deductions without even knowing it. This is especially true of people who have upgraded their home or done some remodeling project recently. There are actually lots of different ways you can use home improvements for tax deductions.

The improvements you make to your home can be eligible for deductions or credits depending upon the size of the project, the reason for the home upgrade and the cost and time frame that was allotted to the remodeling or home improvement.

Tax Deduction for Lawn Care – If you own your own business or work for a company that requires you to meet clients or customers in your home, then you may be able to deduct a portion of the lawn care and landscaping expenses you pay to keep your home’s exterior looking good and presentable.

Swimming Pool Tax Deduction – Tax courts have ruled that a portion of swimming pool expenses can be deducted from your taxes if there is a solid medical reason to have a pool. In one case a gentleman with low lung capacity used a swimming pool to exercise and increase his breathing strength. Since he used the pool more than his family he was allowed to deduct part of the cost as a medical expense.

Tax Credit for New Windows – If you’re planning to upgrade and replace your home’s old windows with new energy efficient ones, now’s the time to do it. There are now tax credits in place for the 30% of the cost of eligible windows, up to $1,500 for the next two years.

You will most likely have to itemize all your deductions on your income taxes to get the full benefit of these home improvements. There are lots of details and criteria for some of these deductions and you may want to speak to a qualified tax expert before embarking on a home improvement. A little advanced planning may save you a lot of money on your taxes.

Not all home improvements qualify for tax deductions or tax credits, but with a little research and planning you can definitely save some money on your taxes and upgrade your home at the same time.

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