AGENTS & TAXES

Hire A CPA

Hiring a CPA is worth the financial cost. A good CPA will save you time and money. You will not have to worry as much about missed items or items being done incorrectly. Keep up with all receipts and bills to help your CPA more easily maximize your deductions. It is important to always consult with your CPA before filing your taxes and use only his or her advice. Below are a few tax deduction ideas that real estate agents can discuss with his or her CPA.

Automobile & Transportation: Car Washes, parking fees, registration fees and taxes, vehicle loan interest, tolls - My CPA suggests that I use the Standard Mileage Deduction, which is a simple method where you take a cost per mileage driven for business. Your CPA can walk you through the best option for your vehicle deduction.

Contract Workers: Admin, Bookkeeper, Payroll, Showing Assistant, Virtual Assistant

Education and Training: Books, coaching, classes

Equipment Expenses: Be sure to check with your CPA if these items should be deducted or depreciated. Calculator, camera, cleaning supplies, cloud storage, computer, GPS, hard drive, keys, lock boxes, measuring tool, phone, printer, scanner, staging items, tablet

Gifts: The IRS allows real estate agents $25 to spend on client gifts. If you add your branding to the gift, the gift then becomes a marketing material and has different requirements. Check your state’s laws on real estate gifts and marketing.

Home Office: Insurance, maintenance, mortgage interest, property taxes, rent, repairs, security system, utilities - Consult with your CPA about if you can deduct your home office if you are a part-time agent and also have a full-time salaried job.

Insurance: Auto, E&O (if not included with your brokerage), health

Legal or Professional Services: CPA fees, lawyer fees 

Licenses, Brokerage Fees and Dues

Marketing Expenses: Business cards, direct mail, flyers, open house signs, social media ads, website development and maintenance

Meals (50%): Document with whom you ate the meal and what you discussed.

Office Supplies including everything from pens to furniture

Physical Office: Internet, rent, renter’s insurance, phone service, utilities

Rental Property Losses

Retirement Plan Contribution

Self-Employed Health Insurance

Services & Fees: Bank fees, bookkeeping, interest, internet, subscriptions, phone

Software: CRM, Quickbooks, etc.

Travel: Airfare, hotels

Unusual Items: Appraisal, closing attorney fee, concessions, delivery fee, home warranty, notary, inspection, photography, referral fee, repairs on a listed property, staging, etc.