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About Helen P. O`Planick, EA
Expertise
I am a tax professional, with experience in individual taxation. I would prefer not to answer questions about non-resident aliens or corporate taxation. Please do not ask me state related questions, unless the state is Pennsylvania. There are 42 taxing states and 42 TOTALLY different sets of state tax law.

Experience
I have been preparing tax returns almost all my life. I have been in professional practice for 25 years and I am enrolled to practice before the Internal Revenue Service.

Organizations
National Association of Enrolled Agents

Publications
I am a prior Money Magazine Tax Test taker and have been quoted extensively in all media including monthly periodicals and books by tax authorities.

You are here: Experts > Business > Corporate Law > Tax Law (Questions About Taxes) > estate reapairs

Topic: Tax Law (Questions About Taxes)

Expert: Helen P. O`Planick, EA
Date: 9/9/2008
Subject: estate reapairs

Question
Can I deduct the expenses for the repairs I have been making to my deceased mothers estate(a SINGLE HOME) .... on my own personal taxes. It is a home that I plan to buy so that I can then place the amount I pay for the house in a trust for the grandchildren. I have already had (2) appraisals on the house and it has gone in front of the court to set the cost that I can buy the house for. I don't mind putting in the labor but would like to have some type of reimbursement for the materials I have had to put up

Answer
No. Even if you owned the home, you cannot deduct the repairs to it.

Your costs would add to the basis of the home, IF you owned it. However, since you are improving it, the repairs become a part of it and you have no basis adjustment.

My suggestion - STOP doing the repairs until the home is in your name, then most of your costs will add to the basis.

Helen, EA in PA

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