Only Rent Income - Need to Actual File a Return?

[zeros]

Taxpayer moved out of her house and rented it out. She lives with her boyfriend. Her only other income is social security. There is no taxable income. Does she even have to file a return?

[WhiteOleander]

How much Gross rent? Gross rent is used to determine filing requirement.

[zeros]

$13,800 Last Year

How much Gross rent? Gross rent is used to determine filing requirement.

$13,800 last year. Haven't seen her this year yet.

[Koss]

Rental Income

How much rental income? And what about expenses?

Rent is included in gross income. If her filing status is single, and she is not a dependent of her boyfriend, then she is required to file a return if her gross income is $9,750 or greater.

I see several issues.

You need to go through the worksheet to make sure that none of her social security benefits are taxable. It depends on how much her other income is. The formula is not as easy as it seems. There was an in-depth discussion of this on this message board last year.

Even if she ultimately has no taxable income, I think you should file a return in order to calculate, and claim, the depreciation on the rental property. It will affect the basis when the property is sold. In theory, she might even have a net operating loss that could be carried forward.

BMK

[FEDUKE404]

Facts needed

Taxpayer moved out of her house and rented it out. She lives with her boyfriend. Her only other income is social security. There is no taxable income. Does she even have to file a return?

Just curious how you know that to be a fact?

She has NO job, and receives Social Security benefits? Or are you talking about SSI etc?

What about dependents, or even someone claiming her as same?

As mentioned by Koss, "gross income" can certainly be a determining issue.

There has to be much, much more to this story. . . . .

FE

[ChEAr$]

Just curious how you know that to be a fact?

She has NO job, and receives Social Security benefits? Or are you talking about SSI etc?

What about dependents, or even someone claiming her as same?

As mentioned by Koss, "gross income" can certainly be a determining issue.

There has to be much, much more to this story. . . . .

FE

And one more question; filing status.. Is the taxpayer married? (still?)

[zeros]

Last Year's Return

Just curious how you know that to be a fact?

She has NO job, and receives Social Security benefits? Or are you talking about SSI etc?

What about dependents, or even someone claiming her as same?

As mentioned by Koss, "gross income" can certainly be a determining issue.

There has to be much, much more to this story. . . . .

FE

I was looking at last year's return. No taxable income that year.

[taxmom34]

gross income

did she file a return last year? if her gross rental income was $13,000 she was required to file. the same applies to contractor who earns $400 , he has to file.

[RitaB]

This might help

Taxpayer moved out of her house and rented it out. She lives with her boyfriend. Her only other income is social security. There is no taxable income. Does she even have to file a return?

http://www.1040.com/federal-taxes/filing-basics/who-must-file/

But they left out "if you had at least $400 in earnings from self-employment". You can't find good help these days.