New York City, NY · Member since 2015 · 125 posts · 48 votes
I have a two family house, with one unit given a discounted rent that's about $300 month below market rate. In exchange, the guy in this unit acts a caretaker and general handyman for the property, and does tasks like lawn care, snow removal, and basic repair work.
Am I able to deduct this $300 from my taxes as a business expense? My understanding is that if I charged him full rent, and simply paid him $300 every month for his services, that would be deductible, and at the end of the day, this works out to basically the same thing.
You answered your own question. The alternative arrangement would be him paying you an additional $300 and you turning around and paying him $300/month for his services. Technically speaking, you are charging him reduced rent in exchange for his services. His services constitute income to you - in this case $300. So you would include the $300 as income but then just deduct it thereafter. You get to the same place.
Wouldn't not paying taxes on the $300/mo taxable income accomplish the same thing? So if the rent is lower, you're already not paying taxes on it? Is this too simple? Am I too simple?
You answered your own question. The alternative arrangement would be him paying you an additional $300 and you turning around and paying him $300/month for his services. Technically speaking, you are charging him reduced rent in exchange for his services. His services constitute income to you - in this case $300. So you would include the $300 as income but then just deduct it thereafter. You get to the same place.