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home improvement costs

Q&A: Credit for time spent on a DIY home project?

May 6, 2024 By Liz Weston

Dear Liz: My husband remodeled all of the bathrooms in our home. We have receipts for the materials we purchased so that we can reduce our capital gains when we sell our home. Can we claim my husband’s time as labor costs for the home improvements?

Answer: No.

You can add the cost of improvements to your tax basis, which will be deducted from the sale amount to determine your potentially taxable capital gains. But you can’t add to your tax basis the value of your own labor, or any labor for which you didn’t pay.

Filed Under: Q&A, Taxes Tagged With: capital gains taxes, home improvement costs, home improvements, home sale, home sale profits, Taxes

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

September 16, 2014 By Liz Weston

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: How paying your credit cards early and often can protect your credit score. Also in the news: How to save your kids from spending their 20’s in debt, six home renovation mistakes to avoid, and tips on getting the best car loan.

Charge a Lot? Pay Early and Often to Avoid Score Damage
Your score will thank you for it.

5 Ways My Parents Saved Me from Spending My 20s in Debt
How to do the same for your kids.

6 Home Renovation Mistakes That Could Cost You
DIY isn’t always the cheaper route.

5 tips to get the best deal on a car loan
Don’t be afraid to shop around.

Can You Raise Your Credit Score 100 Points in a Month?
That’s a tough one.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: car loans, credit report, Credit Score, debt, home improvement costs, millennials

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