Tax
Schedule E (Rental Real Estate, Royalties, Partnerships, S-Corps)
The IRS form reporting income or loss from rental real estate, royalties, partnerships, S-corps, estates, and trusts.
Schedule E is where pass-through income lands on a personal return. Part I covers rental real estate; Part II handles partnership and S-corp K-1 income; Parts III–IV handle estates, trusts, and REMICs.
Rental income is generally NOT subject to self-employment tax (it goes on Schedule E, not Schedule C) — a meaningful planning point.
Passive activity loss rules under §469 frequently limit how much rental loss can offset other income.
Common pitfalls
- Treating rental income as Schedule C self-employment when no substantial services are provided — it belongs on Schedule E
- Failing to track basis and at-risk amounts that limit allowable losses
- Confusing the real-estate professional exception with the $25K active-participation exception — both exist, both have different rules
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