By Pat White, Pat Tax Inc
Tax insights explained by Tax E Man™
Owning rental property can be a smart financial move, but it also brings tax rules that aren’t always intuitive. What counts as rental income? When does short-term renting change your tax situation? Which expenses are deductible—and which aren’t?
Much of the authoritative guidance on these topics comes from the National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP) and is written for tax professionals. In this post, Tax E Man™ breaks down key points drawn from an NATP TaxBrief, translating technical tax guidance into practical information rental property owners can actually use.
If you’d like to review the source material behind these insights, you can access it here:
👉 View the NATP based rental property tax information (PDF)
What the IRS Really Means by “Rental Income”
Many landlords assume rental income is limited to monthly rent checks. According to the NATP TaxBrief, the IRS definition is broader.
Rental income may also include:
- Advance rent payments
- Fees paid by tenants to cancel a lease
- Expenses paid directly by tenants on the owner’s behalf
- Security deposits that are kept due to damages or unpaid rent
Refundable security deposits, however, generally are not considered income if they are returned to the tenant.
From the Tax E Man™ perspective, this is one of the most common areas where rental property owners make honest mistakes. Knowing what must be reported—and what doesn’t—can help avoid underreporting income or triggering unnecessary questions later.
For detailed examples referenced by NATP, see:
📄 Rental income guidance from the NATP TaxBrief (PDF)
Short-Term Rentals and the 14-Day Exception
The NATP TaxBrief also highlights a rule that surprises many homeowners: if you rent out your personal residence for fewer than 15 days during the year, that income may not need to be reported.
This exception often applies when homeowners rent during special events or peak seasons. However, once rental activity increases—or when properties are listed on short-term rental platforms—the tax treatment can change quickly.
At that point, factors such as:
- Number of rental days
- Personal use of the property
- Allocation of expenses
- Possible self-employment tax exposure
can all affect how income and deductions are reported.
Tax E Man™ stresses the importance of keeping accurate records, especially when a property serves both personal and rental purposes.
🔍 Learn more about short-term rental rules here:
Short-term rental tax considerations (PDF)
Deductible Expenses and Depreciation
One of the advantages of owning rental property is the ability to deduct ordinary and necessary expenses related to the property. As outlined in the NATP TaxBrief, common deductions may include:
- Mortgage interest
- Property taxes
- Insurance
- Repairs and maintenance
- Utilities and management fees
Depreciation is another key consideration. Instead of deducting the full cost of a rental property at once, owners typically recover that cost over time. While depreciation can reduce taxable income, it also has long-term implications, particularly when the property is sold.
From the Tax E Man™ viewpoint, deductions should be viewed as part of a broader tax strategy—not just a way to reduce this year’s tax bill.
Making Sense of Technical Tax Guidance
Tax rules for rental properties are detailed for a reason, and much of the official guidance—like NATP TaxBriefs—is designed for tax professionals. Tax E Man™ focuses on breaking that information down so rental property owners can better understand how the rules apply to their own situations.
This post highlights just a portion of the guidance covered in the NATP material. Rental property owners who want a deeper technical understanding may benefit from reviewing the full document.
📘Download the NATP-based rental property tax information (PDF)
NATP Attribution Disclaimer
This article summarizes and discusses tax concepts drawn from an NATP TaxBrief published by the National Association of Tax Professionals. The information is provided for general educational purposes and should not be considered individualized tax advice.
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