Make Ready Costs: Repair or Improvement?

[Marco G.]

Just spent a decent amount of coin doing a make ready during a vacancy.  Come tax time, how do you generally categorize these expenses? Two biggest expenses were flooring (improvement) and interior painting (repair).  Then the usual little things like batteries for smoke detectors, bulbs, etc. 

I just purchased the property in July, so I am curious if there's anything I can get back as far as the carpet that was ripped out, or is whatever condition it was in what I paid for in the purchase price and part of my 27.5 year depreciation?

I do my own taxes.

[Steve Vaughan]

Agree with @Ryan Gillette although I consider interior painting, battery and bulb replacements to be maintenance. Supplies would be a line-item add and I try to avoid those.  I really try and fit things into the standard categories offered.

 Periodic things to maintain something in working order I put under maintenance - which at tax time is lumped together with cleaning.    

I'm not an accountant, just sharing what I do when I file my own taxes as well.  Hope this helps!