Plain-English pages for small landlords who do their own books: what counts as income, which expense goes on which Schedule E line, repairs versus improvements, depreciation and cash flow. Each has a calculator that runs in your browser.
The rental expense categories on Schedule E lines 5–19, what goes on each line, and a calculator that totals your year. Based on IRS Pub. 527.
Calculator + guideHow the IRS separates deductible repairs from capital improvements on a rental (betterment, restoration, adaptation), with examples and a calculator.
Calculator + guideDepreciation on a residential rental building: 27.5-year straight line, mid-month convention, land excluded, first-year amount by month. Per IRS Pub. 527.
Calculator + guideMonthly rental cash flow calculator with vacancy, reserves and mortgage, plus break-even rent, and why cash flow differs from taxable rental income.
Calculator + guideWhen a security deposit counts as rental income under IRS Pub. 527, deposits used as last month's rent, and a calculator for kept vs returned.
Calculator + guideWhat counts as rental income per IRS Pub. 527: advance rent, lease cancellation, tenant-paid bills, services instead of rent. With a calculator.
Calculator + guideWhen landlords can deduct driving to a rental, IRS mileage rates (70¢ for 2025; 72.5¢ then 76¢ in 2026) and a mileage calculator.