Aug 17, 2023 5 min read

Kitchen Remodeling: Is It Tax Deductible?

When it comes to understanding the financial implications of home improvements, there’s no place to start like the kitchen. Often tagged as the heart of the home, a kitchen remodel not only amplifies the value of your home, but it could also bring favorable tax benefits if properly understood and well-documented.

Understanding Tax Deductions

Tax deductions are reductions in the taxable income of an individual or business, intended to promote certain expenditures or activities. They play a pivotal role in reducing one’s total tax liability, allowing individuals and businesses to keep more of their hard-earned income. To qualify for a tax deduction, specific conditions must be met, typically relating to the nature, purpose, and documentation of the expenditure.

Kitchen Remodeling and Tax Deductions

When it comes to home improvements, most are generally not tax-deductible. However, kitchen remodeling may be tax-deductible under certain specific circumstances. For instance, if the kitchen remodeling improves the home’s value, prolongs its life, or adapts it to new uses, it can be considered as a “capital improvement”, which may be tax-deductible. Capital improvements are added to the “basis” or cost of your home. Increasing your cost basis can lower your taxable gain when you sell the house.

Home Office Deductions

Alternatively, If you use part of your home, such as your kitchen, for business purposes, you may be able to take a home office deduction. The IRS allows taxpayers to deduct certain expenses related to their home office, such as a proportionate share of utilities, repairs, insurance, and depreciation. However, the space must be used exclusively and regularly for business purposes, therefore, the kitchen should be specially designed or dedicated for business purposes.

Medical Improvement Deductions

Another possible scenario is that the kitchen remodel is necessary for medical reasons. For example, if the renovation is required for wheelchair accessibility, these costs may be considered medical expenses and therefore may be tax-deductible. However, the tax deduction will only cover the difference between the cost of the improvements and the increase in your home’s value.

Energy Efficiency and Tax Credits

While not a deduction, a tax credit can also reduce your overall tax liability. Certain energy-efficient kitchen upgrades, such as installing qualifying appliances or insulation, may earn you a federal tax credit.

Document Your Upgrade Expenditure

Documentation is essential for all tax deductions. Whether your kitchen remodel qualifies as a capital improvement, a home office, or a medical expense, each of these categories requires detailed documentation. You should keep receipts, contracts, and any related paperwork to verify the cost of the renovation and its intended use.

Eligibility of Home Improvement Expenses

Understanding Which Home Improvements Are Tax Deductible

To leverage tax deductions from home improvement and remodeling expenses, these costs must contribute to the home’s value, extend its lifespan, or adapt it for new purposes. Kitchen remodels typically satisfy these conditions as they often modernize outdated components, enhance efficiency, or increase the kitchen area. However, the tax-deductibility of these expenses is determined by the specific circumstances and the primary purpose of the remodel.

According to the IRS, there’s a clear distinction between improvements and repairs when it comes to tax purposes. Expenses related to repairs or maintenance, such as fixing a leaky faucet or repainting a wall, do not usually qualify for tax deductions because these tasks just restore the home to its original state. However, improvements like installing a new floor, upgrading appliances, or replacing cabinetry could be tax-deductible in certain scenarios.

Kitchen Remodeling and Tax Deductions

Remodeling for Medical Reasons

If a kitchen remodel is deemed necessary for medical reasons, then the costs can often be considered tax-deductible. For instance, if you or someone in your home has a disability or health condition that necessitates changes in the kitchen for better accessibility or use, the remodel could be considered as a medical expense. These expenses could include lowering kitchen counters for wheelchair users or installing special equipment for vision or mobility issues. However, these medical deductions must be more than 7.5% of your adjusted gross income, and you need to itemize your deductions for tax purposes.

Home Improvement and Increased Home Value

Remodeling your kitchen may also be seen as a home improvement that significantly increases the value of your house. This could be deduced from your capital gains tax when you sell the property. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) allows homeowners to exclude up to $250,000 of the profit ($500,000 for married couples filing jointly) from the sale of their primary residence, as long as they’ve lived there for at least two of the last five years. It’s crucial to keep detailed records of all home improvements as evidence of the increase in your home’s value.

Kitchen Remodeling as a Home Office Expense

For those who use a portion of their home exclusively for business, a percentage of the kitchen remodeling costs might be tax-deductible as a home office expense. This is especially relevant in today’s remote working culture. If you renovate your kitchen to function also as your home office, a percentage of the renovation costs might be deductible. However, make sure to consult with a tax professional for guidance on balancing between personal and business use deductions.

Renting Your Property and Depreciation

For property owners who rent out a house or an apartment, remodeling costs, including kitchen renovations, may be considered as “depreciation” in rental property tax deductions. Essentially, you can deduct the cost of your kitchen remodel over a period of years—typically 27.5 years for residential property. This process, known as depreciation, helps landlords spread out the tax burden of their investment over a longer time.

Keep in mind, due to the constant evolution of laws and regulations, individual circumstances can heavily influence the deductibility of expenses. It’s always encouraged, for this reason, to seek guidance from a tax professional to gain personalized, accurate, and updated advice on the matter.

Documentation and Tax Filing

Record-Keeping for Kitchen Renovation Expenses

To ensure that your kitchen renovation costs are accounted for during tax season, careful documentation and tracking of these expenses is key. All associated receipts, invoices, and contracts for materials and labor should be safely stored and marked clearly for their specific purpose. This should encapsulate all related fees, ranging from consultation costs to the purchase price of appliances and fixtures. Such documents act as solid evidence of the investments made during the course of the remodeling process.

Necessary Documentation for Tax Deductions

When it comes to tax deductions, the IRS requires proper documentation and evidence. When filing for a kitchen remodeling tax deduction, you need to provide receipts and proof of payment for all expenses related to your home improvement. This might include receipts for appliances, materials, and labor.

For contracted work and professional services, request itemized invoices detailing the work performed, the materials used, and the cost of labor. If any appliances were purchased, keep the original retail receipts noting the date of purchase, the cost, and the model. Small expenses, like hardware or paint, can also add up, so keep those receipts as well.

Reporting Home Improvement Expenses on your Tax Returns

A kitchen remodel can potentially increase the value of your home, which may have implications for your tax return. While most home improvement costs are not immediately tax-deductible, substantial home improvements, like a kitchen remodel, can reduce your tax burden when you sell your home. The IRS allows taxpayers to add the amount of money they spent on home improvement to the cost basis of their property.

The higher your basis, the less profit you’ll report when you sell your home and therefore, the less you’ll pay in capital gains taxes. To report these expenses, Form 1040, Schedule D (Capital Gains and Losses) must be completed at tax time.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many homeowners make the common mistake of assuming all home improvement expenses are tax-deductible immediately, which is not the case. Kitchen remodeling expenses can often only be used to reduce your tax obligations when you sell your home.

Another common mistake is lack of documentation. The IRS can audit up to three years back at minimum, so keep all receipts and paperwork related to your kitchen remodel project for at least that long, if not indefinitely.

Tips for a Smooth Tax Filing Process

Emphasis should be placed on organization. Keep records of all expenses related to your remodel separately to ensure they’re not mixed in with regular household expenses. Digitalize receipts and keep a backup to avoid the loss of physical copies. Consult with a tax professional to guide you through the process of reporting your home improvements on your tax return, they can offer advice based on your specific remodel and tax situation.