
In most cases, you can't deduct condo fees from your taxes the way you can deduct other homeowner-related expenses, such as mortgage interest or private mortgage insurance. However, you may be eligible to deduct some or all of the costs if you use part of your condo as a home office or if you rent out the condo.
Home Office
If you work from home, you may be able to include a fraction of your condo fees as part of the home office deduction. To qualify, you must use a part of your condo regularly and exclusively as your principal place of business. For example, if you use one of four rooms in the condo exclusively for your consulting business, you can deduct 25 percent of the fees. If you occasionally work from your den, but also use the den for personal purposes, you can't deduct the fees.
Rental Condo
If you rent out your condo, you can deduct the portion of your condo fees that go toward maintaining common areas. For example, if your condo fees are used to maintain a tennis court and pool available to all residents, those costs are deductible as a rental expense. But if part of the fee goes toward improvements, like building a putting green on the grounds, that portion isn't deductible.
References
- IRS: Publication 527
- IRS: Home Office Deduction
- National Council of State Housing Authorities. "FHA Issues New Review Requirements for Condominium Loans." Accessed May 11, 2020.
- First Heritage Mortgage. "What Is a Non-Warrantable Condo?" Accessed May 11, 2020.
- United States Government. "Code of Federal Regulations: Title 24, Housing and Urban Development. Part 234, Condominium Ownership Mortgage Insurance." Accessed May 11, 2020.
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Based in the Kansas City area, Mike specializes in personal finance and business topics. He has been writing since 2009 and has been published by "Quicken," "TurboTax," and "The Motley Fool."