Buying a home can be very expensive. First there's the down payment. Then there are closing costs, including fees for an appraisal, inspection, and title search. And once you own it, the expenses continue to add up, with everything from maintenance to taxes and insurance. There are some tax benefits to owning a home, though. Tax-deductible homeowner costs can reduce the amount of income tax you have to pay. What is a tax-deductible expense? A tax-deductible expense is one that you can deduct from your adjustable gross income (AGI) when you file your taxes for the year. Deducting these costs reduces your taxable income, and the lower your taxable income, the less you'll pay in taxes. When looking at potential homeowner tax deductions, it's crucial to know the differences between standard and itemized deductions. A standard deduction is a specific dollar amount that reduces the amount of income on which you're taxed, based on your filing status, age, and other...
