Renting to relatives? Beware of the tax pitfalls of family member rentals

Description

Abstract: If you own residential real estate, you may be considering renting it to family members. As rents continue to rise in many parts of the country, renting property at a discount to family members may seem like a good way to help relatives in need. But these arrangements are fraught with tax perils. A misstep can lead to the loss of significant tax deductions. This article reviews the tax treatment of rentals to unrelated parties and examines how renting to family changes the rules.