Whether you're a math wizz or hate numbers, we've all made errors before when running a calculation. The realization slowly dawns on you that the number on your calculator is an order of magnitude wrong before you realize you've made an error.
That can happen with something as simple and innocent as splitting a restaurant bill. But imagine what mistakes can do for your real estate business in El Paso, TX. Here are our top tips on maintaining your rental property accounting records.
1. Check Local Tax Laws for Real Estate Accounting
Get to know the local tax laws for incentives. This will help keep your accounting records accurate and allow you to uncover potential tax advantages.
You may be able to make some decisions, for example. That could include property maintenance, improvements, and depreciation. However, it's always best to consult an accounting professional first.
When compiling your accounting records, ensure you are familiar with state law on property management and tenant rights.
For example, you'll need to understand security deposit limits and timescales for returning deposits. These details can impact financial records and tax filings, so staying on top is essential.
Good accounting means staying compliant with tax laws while taking advantage of any tax benefit available to you.
2. Develop a System for Rental Income Tracking
We are beyond the era of manually crunching numbers. If you want to take charge of your professional accounting and keep it organized, you need a system and some robust property management software in place.
Good accounting software should offer a comprehensive suite of features. Look for support with your rent collection, expense tracking, and reporting.
Check your end-to-end accounting process; you will often spot ways to automate something you have traditionally done manually. By doing so, you'll save time and create a more accurate and reliable system.
Remember that clear and organized records are also crucial for compliance. So, investing in systems and tools will help protect you from fines or financial errors.
3. Remember to Reconcile Your Accounting Records
Even with a reliable system in place, mistakes can happen. Since an error in your accounting records can be costly, it is essential to take all necessary steps to minimize this.
It's a good idea to add a monthly review to your calendar. Checking your accounts each month for accuracy will help lower the risk of problems, and running this check won't take much time.
It's even worth getting a third party or accounting assistant to do this for you, as a fresh pair of eyes may help spot something you missed. Check that you have logged every expense and that the categorization is correct.
Cross-check each entry against your bank records to ensure the number is accurate and you haven't missed any income or outgoings.
Three Tips for Rental Property Accounting
Rental property accounting isn't something you can rush. It's essential to ensure your records are accurate. Nevertheless, you can work smarter, not harder, by setting up a sensible process and using modern software.
Rental Network Property Management takes pride in offering landlords a highly experienced team at an affordable price. Discover how we can support your rental property accounting and other property management tasks in El Paso, TX.