What Is Section 280A Vacation Home Limitation?

By Anna Duncan

Are you planning on renting out your vacation home to earn some extra income? If so, it’s important to understand the Section 280A vacation home limitation.

This section of the tax code can have a significant impact on your taxes and your rental income. In this article, we’ll explore what Section 280A is, how it affects your vacation rental property, and what you can do to minimize its impact.

What Is Section 280A?

Section 280A is a provision in the Internal Revenue Code that limits the amount of deductions you can take for expenses related to a vacation home that you also rent out. The purpose of this section is to prevent taxpayers from claiming excessive deductions for personal expenses while still benefiting from rental income.

How Does Section 280A Affect Vacation Rental Properties?

If you own a vacation home that you rent out for part of the year, you’ll need to be aware of how Section 280A affects your tax liability. Under this section, if you use the property for personal purposes for more than 14 days (or more than 10% of the total days it is rented out), then your deductions are limited.

For example, let’s say that you own a beach house that you rent out for six months out of the year and use personally for two months. If your total expenses related to the property are $20,000, but only $12,000 can be allocated to rental use due to the limitation under Section 280A. This means that only $12,000 worth of expenses can be deducted against rental income.

This limitation applies to all expenses related to your vacation home, including mortgage interest, property taxes, insurance premiums, utilities, repairs and maintenance costs.

How Can You Minimize The Impact Of Section 280A?

While Section 280A can limit your deductions for vacation rental properties, there are some strategies you can use to minimize its impact. Here are a few options to consider:

  • Limit your personal use of the property
  • Rent out the property for more days to increase your rental income
  • Consider renting the property for a longer period of time, such as a full year, to avoid the limitation altogether
  • Consult with a tax professional to ensure that you are taking advantage of all available deductions and credits

The Bottom Line

Section 280A can have a significant impact on your taxes if you own a vacation home that you also rent out. By understanding how this provision works and taking steps to minimize its impact, you can maximize your rental income and ensure that you’re not overpaying on your taxes. Consult with a tax professional for personalized guidance on how Section 280A applies to your vacation rental property.