The tax implications of interior and exterior painting.
Posted on January 14, 2021
Question: Is painting taxable in Massachusetts?
Answer: CertaPro pays sales tax on the paint to the paint vendor when we buy it, and there is no tax on the labor, so the price CertaPro quotes you is the price you pay, with no further taxes added.
Question: Is the paint included in my quote from CertaPro?
Answer: Yes, unless you have specifically told us you are supplying the paint, the paint and labor are included in the quote we give to you. As the largest customer of Sherwin Williams & Benjamin Moore on the South Shore, we get their lowest prices possible on paint and pass them on to you.
Question: Is painting LABOR taxable in Massachusetts?
Answer: No.
Question: Is painting a capital improvement with tax advantages?
Answer: In general, no, house painting is usually not considered a capital improvement, it is considered a repair or maintenance and you can’t depreciate repairs.
Two exceptions where house painting is considered a capital improvement:
- If the painting is incurred as part of a larger project that is a capital improvement to the building structure, then the cost of painting IS considered a capital improvement. For example, if you painted as part of an addition to a building or a kitchen renovation, the painting can be capitalized and depreciated as the same class of property that the addition is.
- If painting is done to restore your home to its pre-loss condition after a fire or natural disaster, house painting counts as a capital improvement.
Question: Are house painting expenses tax-deductible?
Answer: No, unless you are painting to repair your home due to a natural disaster or fire loss, the cost to paint your home is not tax-deductible.
Question: Is painting to my home office tax-deductible?
Answer: Generally, some larger expenses might be subject to an asset-depreciation schedule. Ask your accountant to be sure. This is likely an area of interest for many working from home and setting up a home office.
Question: Does CertaPro offer 0% financing?
Answer: Yes, CertaPro offers 6-month, “same as cash” financing. This is great for homeowners who need to paint before they sell their home but would like to use the proceeds from the sale to pay for the painting.
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