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Cost of buying agent deductible?

Realtor

The costs of a buying agent are not tax deductible. In this article you can read why that is, what costs you can deduct and what mistakes starters often make with their tax return. This way you can avoid confusion and disappointment afterwards.

Sake van der Oord
0 min reading time
30
 
April 2025
30
 
April 2025

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Are purchase agent fees deductible?

No, the cost of a buying agent is not tax deductible.

That's too bad, because you incur quite a few expenses. But according to the IRS, these do not fall under deductible expenses for your tax return. These expenses are not included because they are expenses that are not directly related to taking out your mortgage. And only those kinds of costs are deductible.

Non-deductible expenses include, for example:

  • Purchase broker's commission.
  • Start-up or administration fees.
  • Intermediation fees.
  • Withdrawal fees if you cancel the assignment.

So those are all costs of a buying agent that are not tax deductible.

It may feel unfair, but you are not alone. With homeup, you know exactly where you stand. You pay a fixed amount, with no surprises. As a result, you have no hassles and guidance from start to finish, all the way to the key transfer.

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purchase agent costs deductible

What expenses are deductible home buying?

When buying a home, unfortunately the cost of the buying agent is not deductible, but some costs are tax deductible. This means you can report these costs on your tax return, which may result in a tax refund. Below is an overview of the costs you may deduct.

Cost item Explanation
Mortgage advisory fees Charges for financial advice when taking out your mortgage.
Mortgage brokerage fees Fee to an intermediary who helps you arrange your mortgage.
Bereavement commission Charges to make a bank's interest rate offer last longer.
Notary fees for the mortgage deed Only the cost of preparing and registering the mortgage deed.
Cadastral registration of the mortgage deed Cost of registering the mortgage in the Land Registry.
Appraisal fees for obtaining a mortgage Only if the appraisal is necessary to secure a mortgage.
National Mortgage Guarantee (NHG) fees. One-time fee for additional security for you and your lender.
Construction interest (after preliminary sales contract) Interest you pay between the purchase contract and the mortgage deed.
Interest on the construction deposit Only if the construction deposit is part of your mortgage.
Remodeling loan through the mortgage Only if the loan is included in your home improvement mortgage.

Please note that costs such as brokerage fees, transfer tax and notary fees for the purchase deed are not tax deductible. For a complete list of deductible expenses, read this article on deductible expenses when buying a home.

Would you like guidance with understanding deductible expenses when buying a home? Or when buying a home? Then engage homeup as your buying agent. You'll get clear guidance from us, fixed low fees and we'll help you every step of the buying process.

Are purchase agent fees deductible

Common mistakes when filling out tax returns

When buying your first home, it's natural to have questions about tax deductions. But things often go wrong there, too. Especially with first-time buyers. That's why we list the most common mistakes when filling out your tax return for you:

Error Why it goes wrong
Deduct purchase broker fees These costs are not deductible because they have nothing to do with closing your mortgage. They are part of the purchase process.
Specify notary fees of the bill of sale Only the notary fees for the mortgage deed are tax deductible. Costs for the purchase deed do not count.
Give up cadastral rights of the purchase deed The IRS allows deductions only for the land registration of the mortgage deed, not the purchase deed.
Deduct movable items (such as curtains or furniture) These items are not part of the home value. Therefore, they are not deductible on tax returns.
Claiming building inspection as a deduction An inspection is convenient, but is not considered a necessary mortgage condition. Thus, the cost is not tax deductible.
No separate bill for mortgage advice Without an invoice, the Internal Revenue Service cannot recognize the consulting fees as deductible mortgage expenses. That causes rejection.
Incorrect processing of date of purchase agreement Construction interest is deductible only if it is paid after the preliminary contract of sale is signed. So the date is crucial.

Want to make sure you don't miss out on deductible expenses? Then enlist homeup as your buying agent. Not only will we help you buy your home, we'll also help you with smart tips for your tax return

Is a buying agent tax deductible?

Frequently asked questions about purchase agent fees deductible

Still have questions about the cost of a buying agent being deductible? Check out the most frequently asked questions below. That way you'll know exactly what is and isn't allowed on your tax return.

Is a buying agent tax deductible?

No, a buying agent is not tax deductible. The costs belong to when you buy the house, not when you take out the mortgage. So they fall outside the deductible mortgage costs.

What brokerage fees are deductible?

Brokerage fees are not deductible in most cases. Both the buying broker and the selling broker provide services outside the mortgage. Therefore, these costs are not accepted by the Internal Revenue Service.

Is brokerage fee tax deductible?

No, brokerage fees are not tax deductible. These are costs for arranging the purchase. Only costs associated with your mortgage are deductible.

What expenses are deductible when buying home?

Deductible are only costs directly related to your mortgage. Think of advice costs, notary fees for the mortgage deed and the costs for the National Mortgage Guarantee. Appraisal and certain mortgage costs may also be deductible.

Want to know all the deductible expenses when buying a home? Find out in this comprehensive article on deductible home purchase expenses.

Is a buying agent worth the money?

Yes, certainly under certain conditions. A buying agent, such as homeup is a good negotiator, prevents mistakes and makes sure you don't overlook anything. Especially if you are buying a house for the first time, this is valuable

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homeup is your buying agent and helps you with every part of the buying process. For a fixed price, you get guidance, cost insight and smart tips for your tax return.

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Sake van der Oord