| GREGG MARCUS - LIVING THE AMERICAN DREAM - OWNING YOUR HOME |
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By Robert Haulfer The American dream of homeownership is stronger than ever today. And in our income tax structure, the difference in retained income, or take home pay, is drastic when we compare the family that rents to the family that owns their home. Owning a home is perhaps the single most effective income tax shelter left available for the middle class. While 401k and other retirement savings plans do allow pre-tax contributions and the opportunity to earn interest on these funds that our employers do not take taxes out of, you cannot live in a retirement account, nor do they come with backyards for the kids. Many renters are paying so much in rent to the landlord each month that the tax benefits of owning their own home make the costs identical.
Owning a home means that your monthly housing expense is similar to a savings plan, while renters only support the savings plans of their landlords. Homes appreciate in value over time; just as your retirement accounts earn interest on monies BEFORE the taxes come out, so does real estate, and so will your home. Houses come in many shapes and varieties, as do people who rent them or those smarter people who own them. Owning the space you live in is the key to capturing this benefit. Whether you choose to buy a single family residence, or a multi family home that allows you to rent out part of the house, or a condo or a coop, getting out of the renter group and into the owner group makes financial sense. You may think that this all sounds great, but you are wondering how the magical increase in your take home pay comes about. Well, when you took your job your employer had you complete an IRS form which set the number of dependents upon which taxes would be withdrawn from your paycheck. Your account can assist you in calculating just how many extra dependents you can claim to receive the income tax savings benefit each week instead of waiting until the end of the year for a refund. By this simple act of completing a form with the assistance of your accountant, you can see the tax savings benefit of your new home purchase immediately, from the very first paycheck you receive after the closing. There is another pleasant surprise you get when you buy a home the closing costs that you pay when purchasing your home also have tax savings benefits. You have to have an answer for the friend or relative who tells you all about the joys of getting that big refund check when you file your taxes. Just remind them that the IRS does not pay interest on your money when you overpay your taxes every week and get a refund in the beginning of the next year when you file your taxes. After all, it is YOUR money to begin with, so why should the government get to hold and use your money for free all year? Today you can buy a home without any down payment, and you can finance your home in hundreds of ways. Find a reputable lender to open your eyes to the possibilities, check with your tax advisor about the advantages and potential savings, and take that first step in living the American Dream ! GREGG MARCUS The American dream of homeownership is stronger than ever today. And in our income tax structure, the difference in retained income, or take home pay, is drastic when we compare the family that rents to the family that owns their home. Owning a home is perhaps the single most effective income tax shelter left available for the middle class. While 401k and other retirement savings plans do allow pre-tax contributions and the opportunity to earn interest on these funds that our employers do not take taxes out of, you cannot live in a retirement account, nor do they come with backyards for the kids. Many renters are paying so much in rent to the landlord each month that the tax benefits of owning their own home make the costs identical. Owning a home means that your monthly housing expense is similar to a savings plan, while renters only support the savings plans of their landlords. Homes appreciate in value over time; just as your retirement accounts earn interest on monies BEFORE the taxes come out, so does real estate, and so will your home. Houses come in many shapes and varieties, as do people who rent them or those smarter people who own them. Owning the space you live in is the key to capturing this benefit. Whether you choose to buy a single family residence, or a multi family home that allows you to rent out part of the house, or a condo or a coop, getting out of the renter group and into the owner group makes financial sense. You may think that this all sounds great, but you are wondering how the magical increase in your take home pay comes about. Well, when you took your job your employer had you complete an IRS form which set the number of dependents upon which taxes would be withdrawn from your paycheck. Your account can assist you in calculating just how many extra dependents you can claim to receive the income tax savings benefit each week instead of waiting until the end of the year for a refund. By this simple act of completing a form with the assistance of your accountant, you can see the tax savings benefit of your new home purchase immediately, from the very first paycheck you receive after the closing. There is another pleasant surprise you get when you buy a home the closing costs that you pay when purchasing your home also have tax savings benefits. You have to have an answer for the friend or relative who tells you all about the joys of getting that big refund check when you file your taxes. Just remind them that the IRS does not pay interest on your money when you overpay your taxes every week and get a refund in the beginning of the next year when you file your taxes. After all, it is YOUR money to begin with, so why should the government get to hold and use your money for free all year? Today you can buy a home without any down payment, and you can finance your home in hundreds of ways. Find a reputable lender to open your eyes to the possibilities, check with your tax advisor about the advantages and potential savings, and take that first step in living the American Dream ! GREGG MARCUS |