Every year, landlords leave money on the table simply because they didn't track something correctly — or forgot to track it at all. Here's what tends to slip through the cracks, and how to make sure it doesn't happen to you.
Repairs vs. improvements
Not all property spending is treated the same for taxes. A repair (like fixing a leaky faucet) is usually deductible right away. An improvement (like replacing the whole roof) typically has to be depreciated over several years.
Why it matters: Mixing these up can mean missing deductions now, or overstating them and running into trouble later.
Mileage
Every trip to the property, the hardware store, or a contractor meeting can add up to a real deduction — but only if it's tracked consistently.
Why it matters: A single overlooked trip is small. A year of overlooked trips is not.
Home office use
If you manage your rental from a dedicated space in your home, that space may qualify for a deduction too.
Why it matters: It's an easy one to forget simply because it doesn't feel like a "rental" expense — but it's part of running the business.
Depreciation
Depreciation lets you deduct a portion of the property's value every year, but it's often the most overlooked deduction because it doesn't involve writing a check — there's no receipt to remind you.
Why it matters: It's one of the largest deductions available to landlords, and it's easy to miss if you're not tracking it deliberately.
Small recurring costs
Software subscriptions, bank fees, mailing costs for lease documents — these small charges rarely feel worth tracking individually, but collectively they matter.
Why it matters: A few dollars here and there over 12 months adds up to real savings you're currently giving up.
The bottom line
Missed deductions usually aren't about ignorance — they're about not having a simple system to catch everything in the moment. Cazavera categorizes your expenses as you go and organizes them the way a CPA would, so nothing slips through when it's time to file.