Why sign in to the Community?

  • Submit a question
  • Check your notifications
Sign in to the Community or Sign in to TurboTax and start working on your taxes
New Member
posted Oct 29, 2019 9:28:11 PM

Can you claim mortgage cancellation penalty as an expense when selling a rental property?

When selling a rental property you can claim expenses like legal fees, realty fees, etc.

If you had a mortgage and incurred a penalty on the sale because the mortgage was paid early, can you include this expense in the same way?  Note that this is might not the same as claiming the interest portion of the mortgage while renters are in the property - I understand where that fits in the annual expenses of the property.

0 11 16479
1 Best answer
New Member
Oct 29, 2019 9:28:12 PM

Hello

The cost to cancel the mortgage would be part of the 'outlays and expenses' when selling a rental property reported on the Schedule 3 - Capital Gains & Losses.  

Example

Proceeds of Disposition = Selling Price

Less the Adjusted Cost Base = original purchase price or any unclaimed CCA on the building and additions to the property (not previously deducted) + original land value

Less Outlays & Expenses to sell the property (Ie Real Estate Fees, Bank Fees, Legal Fees, Amounts paid to bring the property to a good state for sale (if not claimed anywhere else).

Hope this is helpful.

Christine

11 Replies
New Member
Oct 29, 2019 9:28:12 PM

Hello

The cost to cancel the mortgage would be part of the 'outlays and expenses' when selling a rental property reported on the Schedule 3 - Capital Gains & Losses.  

Example

Proceeds of Disposition = Selling Price

Less the Adjusted Cost Base = original purchase price or any unclaimed CCA on the building and additions to the property (not previously deducted) + original land value

Less Outlays & Expenses to sell the property (Ie Real Estate Fees, Bank Fees, Legal Fees, Amounts paid to bring the property to a good state for sale (if not claimed anywhere else).

Hope this is helpful.

Christine

New Member
Oct 29, 2019 9:28:14 PM

Thank you for a concise, clear answer.  It answers my question perfectly.

New Member
Oct 29, 2019 9:28:15 PM

Can I claim the mortgage penalty as expense if I sold my rental property for a capital gain? thanks,

Returning Member
Apr 7, 2020 8:58:10 AM

What about the fees paid to the government to discharge a mortgage such as the Payout/Assignment fee and the Registry Office charge?  Could they be included as well?

Intuit Alumni
Apr 7, 2020 11:28:36 AM

Yes, you can include those fees as well as outlays and expenses. 

Level 2
Apr 5, 2023 1:34:26 PM

Are mortgage discharge fees deductible in the case where the property was not a rental property. (Daughter lived in unit at family rates not market rates.)

Moderator
Apr 10, 2023 5:10:52 PM

@laila Yes, you can include mortgage discharge fees as "outlays and expenses". 

Level 2
Apr 13, 2023 10:11:31 AM

@TurboTaxSusan Thank you Susan. Can you claim both the cancellation fee and interest penalty? I asked CRA and was told it was not because no specifically referenced in  Guide T4037 Capital Gains 

Outlays and expenses

These are amounts that you incurred to sell a capital property. You can deduct outlays and expenses from your proceeds of disposition when calculating your capital gain or loss. You cannot reduce your other income by claiming a deduction for these outlays and expenses. These types of expenses include fixing-up expenses, finders' fees, commissions, brokers' fees, surveyors' fees, legal fees, transfer taxes, and advertising costs."

 

I did not have great confidence in this answer as it took the agent some time to look up and was not able to answer immediately.

 

Can you clarify. I want to do this properly but do want to reduce taxes owing if allowed. Note this property was never deemed a rental property as rented to daughter at family rates well below FMV rental rates.

 

Thank you. Pura Vida

Laila

Intuit Alumni
Apr 18, 2023 3:48:18 AM

We rely on the Canada Revenue Agency for income tax clarification. If needed please call to speak to another agent @ 1-800-959-8281.

 

Thank you for choosing TurboTax.

New Member
Apr 28, 2023 10:50:27 AM

Can you claim mortgage cancellation penalty as an expense when selling a rental property?

Level 15
May 2, 2023 1:23:46 PM

Yes, you can claim  mortgage cancellation expenses. It will be claimed only under the outlays and expenses when calculating the proceeds.

 

Thank you for choosing TurboTax.