As Tax Season Approaches, You May Want to Consider Some of these Tips…
Tax Relief for Loan Modifications, Short Sales and Foreclosures Is Only Around Through 2012
While the long-term housing outlook is beginning to look up, 2011 is projected to be the peak year for foreclosures during this market cycle. Distressed homeowners who are on the brink of a short sale, loan modification or foreclosure should be aware that normally, any mortgage balance that is wiped out by one of these outcomes is taxed as what the IRS calls Cancellation of Debt Income, or CODI.
Under the Mortgage Debt Forgiveness Relief Act of 2007, the IRS is currently not charging income taxes on CODI incurred through a loan mod, short sale or foreclosure on most primary residences through 2012. But right now, banks are taking many months, or even years, to work out mortgages in all of these ways; the average foreclosure in New York state right now occurs only after 22 months of missed mortgage payments. If you foresee any of these outcomes in your future, don’t put things off. Do what you can to get to closure on your distressed home and loan, ASAP, while you won’t have income taxes to add as the insult on top of your significant housing injury.
Project the Income Tax Consequences of a Refinance or Property Tax AppealHomeowners everywhere are working on applying for a lower property tax bill on the basis of the last few years’ decline in their home’s value. Those who have equity have flocked en masse to refinance their 7% home loans into the 4% to 5% rates of the last few months. These strategies offer some of the heftiest household savings out there for the corresponding investment in time and money they take. But here’s a caveat for savvy homeowners who slash these costs: remember that property taxes and mortgage interest, the very costs you’re minimizing, are also the basis for the major tax benefits of being a homeowner. So plan ahead for your income tax deductions to go down along with your taxes and interest.
Don’t Forget Those Closing CostsIf you bought or refinanced your home in 2010, you may be so focused on your mortgage interest and property tax deductions that you forget all about your closing costs. Any origination fees or discount points that were paid to your mortgage lender at closing are tax deductible on your 2010 return, get this – even if the seller paid your closing costs. If you can’t figure out exactly what you paid, look for your HUD-1 settlement statement, that legal sized paper full of line item credits and debits that you should have received from your escrow provider or title attorney at, or just after, closing. Can’t find it? Drop your real estate agent or mortgage broker an email; they can usually get a copy to you quickly.
Taken from: Ask Tara @ Trulia – http://www.trulia.com/blog/taranelson/
Note: This post first appeared on WalletPop.com on 2.28.2011.
Perhaps the most important piece of advice . . . Always consult with your tax professional regarding tax advice!!!
Cheers and happy tax returns to you!
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