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Hi!Yes, you can file ITR (Income Tax Returns) without Form 16. However, it is easier to file ITR if you have Form 16.Form 16 is a TDS(Tax Deducted at Source) certificate on salary. Form 16 includes details of salary earned and tax deducted on it during the financial year.[1]Usually, all employers give Form 16 to their employees before 31st May of the next financial year i.e. the assessment year.If you do not have Form 16, use Tax Credit Statement i.e. Form 26AS. You can download Form 26AS from your income tax e-filing account. You can also use salary slips to calculate your tax liability.Read More: How to view and download Form 26AS?How to file ITR without Form 16?Calculate your net salary from salary slipsAdd the salary for all months.In case you shifted jobs: include salary from all employersDetermine your Tax Credit:Use Form 26AS to match the TDS deductedFrom 26AS includes TDS deducted on all incomes i.e. salary, bank interest, etc.Claim Deductions:The government allows the various deduction to help reduce the tax burden on the taxpayers. Deductions are allowed under various sections like 80C (investments, home loans, life insurance), 80D (medical expenses, medical insurance premium), etc.You can claim deductions on allowances given by the employer. Eg: LTA(Leave and Travel Allowance), HRA(House Rent Allowance), Medical Allowance, etc. Details of these deductions are mentioned in your salary slips.Add other incomesA taxpayer usually earns income from multiple sources like interest, dividend, rental income etc. Add these with your salary income.Your income structure will determine the ITR form you are required to file.Compute your Net Taxable incomeAdd: all your incomesLess: Exempt incomesLess: deductions= Net Taxable IncomeCalculate your Tax LiabilityBased on the slab rates compute your tax liabilityPay Additional tax or Claim RefundIf you have an outstanding tax liability, pay self-assessment taxIf you excess TDS had been deducted on your behalf during the financial year, you are eligible to claim a tax refund.File your ITR.Similar Topic: Is Form 16 necessary to file an ITR in India?Plan, prepare and file ITR with or without Form 16 on QuickoFootnotes[1] What is Form 16? | Help Center | Quicko

1. Depreciation: Rental Property Tax DeductionDepreciation is a rental property tax deduction for the hypothetical wear and tear on your building as if it were an expense. Even though you may not be encountering costs to cover actual maintenance expenses, accounting principles allow you to take advantage of the eventual costs through depreciation.Determining what the depreciation figure is — and keeping proper records over time — is vital, and you should turn to your certified public account (CPA) or tax professional for assistance. Generally, you can depreciate your rental property value minus the cost of land evenly over 27.5 years, known as straight-line depreciation.Depreciation Example for Rental PropertyWe’re going to illustrate a straight line depreciation example that pertains to a rental property.Let’s assume the following:The combined value of the land and the building is $300,000The land is valued at $150,000The depreciation time frame according to the IRS is 27.5 yearsThe property is classified as a residential property. Some portions of commercial property improvements can be depreciated over 15 years.To figure out the depreciation, you first subtract the land value from the combined value of the land and building. Then you divide the building value by 27.5 years to get the amount of yearly depreciation.$300,000 – $150,000 = $150,000$150,000/27.5 = $5,454.54 depreciation per year$5,454.54 is the annual amount you can deduct when filing your rental property taxes. You will do this each year to assess the current home value and the associated annual depreciation.2. Mortgage Interest Payments: Rental Property Tax DeductionsInterest on a rental property can take several forms and may be one of a landlord’s biggest tax benefits of rental property. Mortgage interest, points, loan origination fees, interest on credit lines and, in some cases, interest from credit cards used for property-related expenses, may all be deductible.When you make a loan payment on your rental property, there are two components to that payment. There is a portion going to the principal and a portion going to an interest expense. You can see this by looking at your monthly statement. Unfortunately, you can’t deduct the principal portion of your payment. However, you can deduct the interest portion.For example, let’s say you have a mortgage or other loan related to the property with a monthly payment of $1,000. Let’s assume $200 is applied to principal, meaning that $800 is interest. Only the $800 is deductible as an expense. Multiply this interest by 12, and you find your annual interest deduction of $9,600. You can keep track of mortgage interest paid, with property management software.Mortgage InterestSince the main loans on a rental property are likely mortgages, this is the first interest figure to consider. You can also deduct loan points as a form of prepaid interest. Prior to the 2018 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, you could deduct interest on home equity lines of credit (HELOC), but now there are restrictions.Points & Loan Origination FeesWhen you obtained financing for your rental property, you probably paid loan origination fees and/or points. Both of those are deductible and can be treated as forms of interest. However, your down payment is not deductible.Interest on Unsecured Loans for the PropertyIf you’ve obtained financing in the form of an unsecured loan, specifically used for a given property, that interest may also be deductible. For example, you might have an unsecured loan for the replacement of a roof, that interest may be deductible.This is an area where you may want to engage the services of your accountant because deductibility for unsecured loans can be tricky ― particularly if the proceeds were used on more than one property or certain amounts used personally. Accurate accounting is vital.Interest on Credit Cards Used for the PropertyYou may have also used a credit card for the property and incurred some interest. An example is using a credit card to purchase a refrigerator for your rental property and paying for it over several months, resulting in interest charges. The interest stemming from that purchase would be deductible.Similar to the situation with unsecured loans, involve your tax professional or CPA if you are trying to deduct credit card interest because it can be tough to track properly.If you want more information on business credit cards, how they work, and who they’re right for, then check out our guide to the best small business credit cards of 2018.3. Fees & Tax Benefits of Rental PropertyReal estate investors receive rental property tax deductions — deducting related expenses is definitely one of them. Property taxes, licensing fees, and occupancy taxes are three of the most common forms of taxation for rental property, and they’re also deductible. You need to report expenses allocated for the rental property on a Schedule E.We will now discuss property taxes, licensing fees and other rental property taxes.Property TaxesVirtually every county or municipality in the country charges property taxes. In rural areas, the amount may be small, perhaps only a few hundred dollars. In some markets, property taxes can be quite high, sometimes up to six figures a year. Rental properties are typically taxed at a higher rate than primary residences.You can find your rental property tax rate at your county’s office of the assessor or recorder. Sometimes these offices have slightly different names, but you can Google your county and find property tax information on their site as well as a contact phone number. If you have a mortgage on the property, your lender will send you an escrow summary that shows property taxes paid as well.Licensing FeesMany states have licensing requirements for rental property. This refers to a license specifically for the property, not to be confused with a business license for your real estate business, which may be deductible. If you’ve had to obtain or renew a landlord or similar license for the property, that cost is deductible.Some municipalities require a vacation rental license for short-term rentals, which typically cost around $1,200 the first year and around $600 in subsequent years, depending on the property area and number of bedrooms. For additional information on short-term rentals, check out our guide to buying a vacation rental property.Occupancy Tax DeductionsSome states charge occupancy taxes on rental amounts, similar to sales tax. This is particularly the case in states where short-term rentals are common. Examples include Florida, which charges a “tourist tax” for rentals less than seven months and multiple areas throughout Arizona. If you are required to pay a tax on rental amounts, that expense is deductible. These taxes vary by state and, sometimes, vary by city, county, or even municipality.Download Your Free Rental Property Tax Deduction Worksheet4. Insurance: Rental Property Tax DeductionsAny form of insurance is considered an expense, hence tax deductible for the rental building. This includes basic hazard insurance and special perils insurance like flood or hurricane coverage as well as liability insurance.Typical types of rental property insurance include:Liability insuranceHazard and fire insuranceSewer backup insurance which can be added to your hazard policyFlood insurance which covers water coming from any source outside the home and is required by most mortgage companiesLoss of income insurance which can be added to your hazard policy and will cover you in the case of lost rental incomeInsurance specifically for a rental property is generally 15% to 20% more than a policy for an owner-occupied policy. The average annual premium on landlord insurance is about $822. This varies, depending on the size, cost, and location of the rental property. For more information, read our article on landlord insurance.Deducting Umbrella Liability Policies for Rental PropertiesIf you have other forms of insurance such as a landlord liability policy or umbrella liability policy that covers multiple properties, you will want to seek the counsel of your tax professional or CPA to determine how it should be deducted. One option is to prorate the cost among each property; another possibility may be to deduct it from the overall business entity.5. Utilities: Rental Property Tax DeductionsIf you have to pay for any utilities — gas, electric, or water — they are a deductible expense. If you pay for private trash removal and/or recycling service, those may be lumped in with utilities. In addition, if you pay for communication services like internet or cable/satellite TV for your rentals, those costs are also deductible as a utility expense.Deductions for various common utilities can be claimed on:Heating billsElectricityAir conditioningWaterSewerTrash & recyclingInternet, television & phone services6. Maintenance & Repair: Rental Property Tax DeductionsCosts to maintain, care for, and improve the property are deductible. However, there is a difference between how things like cleaning, maintenance, and repair are deducted vs how improvements are handled.Cleaning, Maintenance & RepairThese items are considered normal, ongoing items in the operating of the property. They are deductible as normal operating expenses. An example of maintenance might be replacing a few shingles lost to a storm. Normal wear and tear on a property can include replacing worn carpet or repainting rooms with faded paint from sunlight exposure.ImprovementsImprovements are considered long-term benefits to the property and are depreciated over several years. Some items may be depreciated over five years, others as long as 27.5 years. Using the roof example from above, if it’s the entire roof being replaced, that’s considered a capital improvement and must be depreciated over 27.5 years.Since the roof has been depreciated, you can’t expense the entire cost in one year. Instead, you would spread the cost out over 27.5 years. So, if the roof was $15,000, you should deduct the same amount each year, according to the IRS, in the straight line depreciation method. This means you would deduct $545.45 each year for 27.5 years.With improvements, it’s vital to involve your CPA or tax professional. It’s important to classify and compute things correctly, and the recordkeeping responsibility is rigorous.7. Advertising & Marketing: Tax Benefits of Rental PropertyThere are two main sources of marketing deductions for a rental property. They include advertising to find tenants to rent the property and lease-up commissions to pay real estate professionals or property managers to rent out the property. Both of which can be tax deductible. For more information on marketing, read our article about how to rent a house.AdvertisingAny amount you expend to advertise your building, its availability for tenants, or for anything else related to the property like trying to find an on-site manager or contractor are all deductible as normal operating expenses. This includes fees or subscriptions for websites like Zillow where you might list your property for rent.Tenant Placement & Lease-up CommissionsAn often overlooked marketing expense is the commission paid to a real estate agent or property management firm to either secure a new tenant or renew their lease. Because this is often one month’s rent or more, it’s a significant expense well worth recording.8. Homeowner Association Fees: Rental Property Tax DeductionIf your rental property is located in a community that charges any kind of homeowner association (HOA) fees, condo fees, planned unit development (PUD) fees, and so on, these are deductible expenses. The IRS considers then necessary to maintain the property. HOA fees vary depending on the location, amenities included and size of the unit but the average HOA fees for a single-family home are $200 to $300 per month.In addition, you may be able to deduct items required by your HOA. For example, some HOAs require expensive for rent signs that meet certain specifications. These sign expenses would generally be deductible.9. Auto & Travel: Rental Property Tax DeductionsTravel-related tax benefits of rental property are generally categorized in two ways: automobile-related travel expenses and other travel-related expenses. You can deduct the necessary expenses of traveling as long as the trip’s primary purpose pertains to your rental property.Auto ExpensesBusiness use of your car for your rental properties is deductible. If you have to drive to a property to show it, tackle repairs, or otherwise visit the property for a legitimate operational purpose, the mileage is deductible.Auto expenses can be deducted using the standard mileage method or the “actual” method. For 2019, the IRS set the rate at 58 cents per mile driven for business. The “actual” method uses the percentage of all actual vehicle expenses used for business. Both require you to keep the necessary records. To learn more details about mileage deduction, read our guide on standard mileage deduction.There are also apps for smartphones that make keeping the records very easy and convenient. You don’t have to write it down or wait until you’re in front of your computer to record your mileage. Instead, you can download the app on your smartphone and keep track of your mileage on the go. To learn more about these convenient smartphone apps check out our guide on the best mileage tracking apps.Additionally, you may have investment business mileage not attributable to individual properties but, to the business overall, that may also be deductible. Any business-related mileage like going to the office supply store or post office is deductible if documented properly.Rental Property Tax Deductions for Other Travel ExpensesAside from using your car, other travel expenses related to your rental property may be partially or totally deductible. For example, if you fly to a property in another state to clean out the building between tenants, that’s legitimately business-related. The airfare would be deductible as would hotel stays meals, rental cars, parking, and tolls.However, only the business portion of the trip is deductible; you have to prorate that portion, which is clearly business vs that which isn’t. In the above example, if you stayed a week, but only dealt with the property for two days, you can’t deduct all seven days’ worth of meals or hotel costs.To learn more about properly deducting travel related expenses check out our guide on deducting travel and entertainment expenses.10. Supplies: Rental Property Tax DeductionsThe supplies category is somewhat a miscellaneous one that can include anything from hardware to office supplies. Many supplies will be directly used on a given property and deductible to the property itself. An example might be driveway sealant if the can was used on just the one property.Other supplies might be applicable to several or all of your properties and deductible to the business as a whole. An example might be computer printer paper, which can’t be allocated to a single property but is used for anything related to the business.Typical supplies related to your rental property include:Printer ink, which can be expensive at an average of $13 per ouncePrinter paper, folders, binders, and receipt books to stay organizedMaintenance supplies like paint, spackle, primer, and brushesCleaning supplies like buckets, mops, vacuums, and cleaning solutionsBuilding supplies like sheetrock, nuts, bolts, and plywoodHardware including locks and keys, which can add up if you change them after each tenancy; locksmiths often charge upward of $125 to change locks11. Property Management: Tax Deduction for Rental PropertyProperty management can be performed in several ways. You may be handling it yourself, engaging a property management firm, or hiring a property manager. Each is handled differently from a tax standpoint. Property management fees generally range from 7% to 20% of the gross monthly rental income depending on the type of property.Tax Benefits of Rental Property You Manage YourselfWhether you can deduct any of your personal management depends on how you’ve structured your business. If your properties are owned by you personally like a sole proprietorship, it’s tricky to deduct the cost of your own management. The better you substantiate your active management, the more likely you’ll be able to demonstrate your active engagement.If you have an entity like an LLC or corporation, there may be the possibility of the company employing you as a property manager, which means your salary will be a deductible expense. In that case, you can deduct property management software for things like marketing your property and tenant screening.Tax Deductions If You Engage a Property Management FirmFees that you pay to a property management firm for their services are deductible. Be aware, however, that things like commissions for tenant placement should be noted as marketing and not management.Tax Deductions If You Hire a Property ManagerReal estate investors with large multi-unit properties or apartment buildings will often hire on-site property managers. Salaries and any benefits paid to these managers are fully deductible rental property expenses.12. Legal & Professional Fees: Rental Property Tax DeductionsProfessional services like accounting and legal work are deductible expenses. Generally, these will be applied overall to your real estate investment business. However, if there is work clearly applicable to certain properties, then the expenses are deductible for the properties themselves. These professionals are often able to identify additional tax benefits of rental property for investors.Some examples of professional and legal fees may include:Legal work to prepare LLC entityLegal review or preparation of lease documentsBookkeeping servicesTax filing preparationSources: Top 12 Rental Property Tax Deductions & Benefits 2019 [+ Free Worksheet]

Purchase landlord insurance.Pay an attorney to draw up a personalized and detailed lease.Choose a service to conduct full background checks.Determine the set of criteria that you will use to select eligible tenants.Educate yourself on the laws in your state (and city).You absolutely must have an insurance policy specifically for homes that are used as rentals. These will cost more than a regular homeowners policy but they are absolutely essentially. It should cover the the typical damage to the property as well as liability and lost income.It is possible to download standardized leases online and fill in the blank, but it’s important to note that any part of the contract that is contrary to applicable laws will be invalid, so you need an attorney who practices this aspect of law in your jurisdiction to help ensure that the lease is even valid. You will also want to clarify the landlord-tenant relationship as much as possible in this document, perhaps even specifying common sense information. I know that it’s tempting to skip this cost, but doing so could literally cost you many thousands of dollars down the road.Nearly all landlords who know what they are doing conduct a series of checks on any prospective tenants, and websites like this one can help you find the service(s) that best suits your needs. Past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior, and you need to look at an applicant’s credit and past evictions at a minimum, though I really recommend that you check criminal records, judgments, address, and SSN verification as well. There is a fee for such services, but you are allowed to charge a reasonable non-refundable application fee to help offset the cost and weed out people who would waste your time.You will use the information that the background checks provide to decide which applicants are eligible to rent to you, and the best way to make rational and unemotional decisions is to set out a firm list of minimum requirements. Discrimination lawsuits are a real danger for landlords. They can be costly to fight even if you ultimately win, and the only real way to protect yourself is to use objective criteria. You want to set your standards as high as the desirability of your property and the market will allow, as the likelihood that a tenant will cause trouble and cost you money increases exponentially the more lenient you are. As an example, I reject all applicants who do not have a credit score of at least 650 and an rent to income ratio of 1:3 or better, or who have been evicted in the past or had a legal dispute with a landlord.I would really recommend using an experienced rental manager or agency, at least until you become more familiar with the business. If you do it on your own you will also benefit from having a relationship with an attorney, which is another good reason to seek the assistance of one when it comes to drawing up a lease. You won’t be able to learn everything there is to know right away, but you need to find a reliable source to teach you about the basics in your state:When can you enter the unit and how much notice is required?What is the eviction process?What are your options when a tenant breaks the lease?What is the timeline of maintenance?There is more to being a landlord than I could tell you here, but I would suggest that you carry out monthly inspections, only accept rent in the form of money orders, do not hand over keys until that MO has cleared the bank, ask for a security deposit equal to at least one month’s rent, and ask for payment for any damages so the deposit remains intact. Evictions can be difficult, but when they are likely to be unavoidable it is best to start the process immediately. Do not be afraid to file for eviction or sue tenants. It’s better to avoid it when possible, but remember that the fees are negligible and that the process is designed to allow you to represent yourself.The most important thing to remember is that you are running a business. Nearly every tenant who has trouble paying rent will have a sympathetic reason, but mortgahe’s, taxes, insurance, and maintenance has to be paid no matter what. When your tenant doesn’t pay rent you aren’t “only” losing income: You are paying their rent out of your own pocket. Be kind by fulfilling your obligations, but do not feel bad when you have to hold your tenants to their end of the contract. No one feels bad for demanding that their boss pays their salary and refusing to work for free, after all.