by Richard Page

A congressional aide placing a placard on a podium for House Republicans’ legislation to overhaul the tax code. Thomson Reuters

Except for three provisions, all of the new tax changes included in the recently passed Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) go into effect beginning in 2018 or beyond.

The changes applicable for 2017 federal returns are:

• The adjusted gross income threshold for medical expenses on Schedule A will be 7.5% for all taxpayers for 2017 and 2018.
• 100% of bonus depreciation is eligible for qualifying assets purchased after September 27, 2017.
• The home mortgage interest deduction is limited to no more than $750,000 of principle residence acquisition indebtedness for loans incurred beginning after December 14, 2017. The limit is $1,000,000 for loans incurred before December 15, 2017.

Jessica S. Weisman, Managing Partner of Client Education | Kimball, Tirey & St. John LLP 

Disability is the most common basis for the filing of housing discrimination complaints in California and nationally. According to the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) 2016 Annual Report, 39% of the housing complaints filed were based on mental or physical disability. According to The Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO), in 2016, out of 8,385 complaints, over 50%, 4,908, were based on disability. 

by Jessica S. Weisman, Managing Partner of Client Education | Revised from a previous KTS article prepared by D. J. Ryan, former Director of Education (Retired)

One of the most common questions asked by managers, leasing professionals, and owners during our fair housing trainings is, “What can I, or can’t I say, so I won’t get in trouble with fair housing?”

It should come as no surprise that what you say, type, text or post on social media could increase your potential for a fair housing complaint or lawsuit.

by Charlie Wade | VTS

Historically the primary focus of the vast majority of office landlords was to secure enough tenants to fill their buildings as quickly as possible. Their modus operandi was simple: persuade an occupier to sign as long a lease as possible, with a minimum rent-free period and on a maximum pounds per square foot rent, in the quickest way possible. Once the tenant signed on the dotted line the landlord could essentially not worry about that tenant/building until a lease event loomed large on the horizon.

This article was originally published on the Resident Screening Blog.

Since the housing crisis, the demand for affordable rental housing has skyrocketed as Americans have shifted from a homeownership mentality to a renter mentality. As Richard Florida from CityLab might argue, the migration from suburban homeownership to renting has been increasing since 2006. In fact, from 2006 to 2014 the number of U.S. renter households did increase by 5%. With a large percentage of the renter population concentrated in or near urban areas, some of the most major cities in the U.S. lack the necessary housing supply to meet the demand.

By Becky Bower | ApplyConnect

2017 was undoubtedly a busy year for rental housing legislation. With bills like California’s immigrant housing protections and the City of Seattle’s ban on criminal records within background reports, you’ll start to feel the effects of these passed bills this year. Take a look at pending and future rental housing legislation that could affect properties across the U.S. in 2018, and be aware of legislative trends that surfaced last year. One prominent bill in one state could very easily turn up in another state down the road.

by Becky Bower | ApplyConnect

Let’s face it – physically collecting rental checks is outdated. It requires you to invest a lot of time into recording the payment into your tenant ledger, and standing in line at the bank to deposit it. This process doesn’t even include enforcing late fees, bounced check fees or any time spent talking to a tenant that doesn’t have the rent. Bring your rent collections into the future by switching to a convenient, easy, and hassle-free online solution in 2018.

Shared post by Elizabeth Millar | Appfolio

Property managers have to make some hard choices when they decide to establish rules for their rental units. According to a helpful report from Michigan State Extension, deciding to allow or prohibit pets might be one of those tough decisions. Before deciding, it’s a good idea to carefully examine the pros and cons of running a pet-friendly rental property.

By Kathy Fettke | Real Wealth Network

The new year began with new tax rules for residential and commercial real estate investors. It’s still too early to know the full impact of the legislation, but many tax professionals say that real estate investors and other property owners have hit the jackpot.

by Kenneth Ziskin, The Apartment Owners’ Estate Planning Attorney ^SM

Tax reform finally became law late in December, 2017, even though passage required it to give up its common name, the Tax Cut and Jobs Act (“TCJA”). 

For most of you, the TCJA will give with one hand, and take away with the other.  For some, the act will be a lump of coal, and taxes will, unfortunately, go up.  For others, the act will be a real Christmas present that brings real tax savings.  You probably cannot just intuitively figure out whether you got a real present or a lump of coal until you model your situation, and possible planning opportunities.

Many of the law’s provisions were not finalized, or even discussed, in committee, and we will not understand the full impact for months, or maybe even years.  But, while all tax professionals (including me) are trying to get a handle around the impacts of the TCJA, I want to try to give you an idea of some of the major impacts and a few planning implications.