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Remodel snag could cost tenants their unit

By Janet Portman, Thursday, April 3, 2008.

Q: We rent a single-family home that needs some work. We're going to hire and pay the contractors, and deduct the cost from the rent. Our written agreement with the landlord includes our promise that we not allow a "mechanic's lien" to be filed against the property (we lose our lease if that happens). What does this mean? --Jeb B.  more...

Understanding Starker exchange rules

By Benny Kass, Thursday, April 3, 2008.

(This is Part 5 of a five-part series. Read Part 1, "IRS debunks common tax myths"; Part 2, "Homeowners get good tax news for 2007"; Part 3, "How to deduct mortgage interest, points on taxes"; and Part 4, "Home sellers keep profits, avoid taxes.")

"The difference between death and taxes is death doesn't get worse every time Congress meets." --Will Rogers

In this series of tax articles, I have discussed the tax benefits for residential properties, such as the exclusion of gain of up to $500,000, or the various tax deductions available to homeowners.  more...