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April 16, 2023
Question

I set up a business for my self-build (new home). What can I deduct if I am operating as my own general contractor?

  • April 16, 2023
  • 2 replies
  • 0 views
I set up a business for a self build and have been keeping track of things such as equipment purchases and rentals(and the insurance and interest paid), fuel and repair costs, etc. What I am not sure can be deducted would be things like hiring a tree service to remove some large trees, or the costs of delivery and materials for a small drive in (not a complete driveway). Are those things deductible? Where is the line drawn between the business expense and the "home owner's" expense ?

2 replies

JohnB5677
April 16, 2023

Yes, the things you mention are legitimate contractor expenses.  

  • The big thing you cannot take as an expense is your time.  
  • Consider your business as if you were building the home for some yet unknown buyer.
  • The trees and driveway would be part of the finish work to sell the home.
  • That would also include siding, painting and landscaping to mention a few others.
  • The buyer then pays the price for all of those features when they buy the home.
  • You will also when you pay off construction loans, make a down payment and take out a mortgage.
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dk603Author
April 16, 2023

Oh. Interesting. Where does this get entered on my tax form in Turbotax?

Rick19744
Employee
April 16, 2023

What I don't believe is clear, is whether this is a home that you will sell OR is this your personal residence that you are building?

 

*A reminder that posts in a forum such as this do not constitute tax advice.Also keep in mind the date of replies, as tax law changes.
dk603Author
April 16, 2023

Most likely will be a personal residence.

dk603Author
April 17, 2023

@Rick19744 Does the fact that this will likely be my personal residence matter?