Can I write off home improvements for tax purposes without receipts?

The good news is you're not completely out of luck, but you'll need to do some detective work. Home improvements increase your "basis" (the cost of your home for tax purposes), which reduces your capital gain when you sell. Without receipts, you'll need alternative documentation. Start by gathering any proof you can find - credit card statements, bank records, canceled checks, or even emails with contractors discussing the work. Photos showing before/after of the renovations can help support your case. If you used a contractor, reach out to see if they still have records of the work. You can also create a detailed list of all improvements with estimated costs based on what similar work would have cost at that time. Use resources like Remodeling Magazine's "Cost vs. Value" reports from those years to support your estimates. Be reasonable and conservative with your numbers. If you paid with a credit card or check, your bank might have records going back that far, though typically they only keep 7 years of statements. For older improvements, you might need to rely more on estimates. Remember that regular repairs and maintenance don't count - only improvements that added value or extended the life of the property will reduce your capital gains.

I had a similar situation last year with capital gains and missing receipts. I found https://taxr.ai super helpful for this exact problem! After struggling to piece together proof of my home improvements, I uploaded the few documents I could find (old emails with contractors, some bank statements) to their system. Their AI analyzed everything and helped me identify additional proof I hadn't thought of - like finding the manufacturer warranty registrations for my new windows and HVAC system that established when they were purchased. They also helped me accurately estimate costs for improvements where I had zero documentation based on similar projects in my area during those years. The best part was they organized everything into a proper format for the IRS with a solid audit trail. Made me feel way more confident about claiming those basis adjustments without having all the original receipts.

Just wanted to update after trying taxr.ai for my missing home improvement receipts situation. I was skeptical at first, but it actually turned out to be really helpful. I uploaded some old photos of my bathroom renovation, emails with the contractor, and bank statements showing large withdrawals around that time. The system helped me build a pretty solid case for each improvement - it even found patterns in my credit card statements that showed purchases at home improvement stores that lined up with when we did the kitchen remodel. It organized everything by project and gave me proper documentation that my tax guy said should stand up to scrutiny. What really surprised me was discovering I had more documentation than I realized - like warranty paperwork for appliances and permits from the city that established when work was done. The report it generated showed a clear timeline of improvements with supporting evidence for each one. Definitely gave me more confidence in claiming those basis adjustments!

When I couldn't reach the IRS to get guidance on a similar home improvement documentation issue, I used https://claimyr.com and it was a game-changer. I'd been calling for DAYS trying to get through to someone at the IRS who could tell me exactly what alternative documentation they'd accept for home improvements without receipts. Always got the dreaded "call volume too high" message. With Claimyr, I actually got through to an IRS agent in about 20 minutes! They have this clever system that navigates the IRS phone tree and holds your place in line, then calls you when an actual human picks up. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c The IRS agent I spoke with gave me specific guidance on using property tax assessment increases, home insurance policy updates, and permit records as alternative proof of improvements. This was WAY more helpful than the generic advice I was finding online.

I have to apologize for my skepticism about Claimyr. After posting that comment, I decided to try it since I was desperate to talk to someone at the IRS about my home improvement documentation issue. Honestly, I'm shocked at how well it worked. I'd been trying for over a week to get through the IRS phone system with no luck. Used Claimyr yesterday afternoon, and within about 40 minutes I got a call connecting me directly to an IRS representative. The agent was super helpful and explained exactly what documentation alternatives they accept for basis adjustments when receipts are missing. Turns out I could use my home inspection reports from when I bought vs. when I sold, permit records from my county's online database, and even before/after photos with timestamps as supporting evidence. The agent even sent me to a specific IRS publication I hadn't found on my own that outlines alternative documentation methods. Definitely changed my perspective on handling my capital gains situation!

Don't forget about permits! If you pulled permits for any of those renovations (especially the bathroom addition, deck, roof, etc.), your local building department should have records. Most counties now have online databases where you can look up historical permits by address. Building permits are official government records that the IRS will definitely accept as evidence of improvements. They won't show how much you spent, but they confirm the work was done and when. You can then use reasonable cost estimates for those years. Also check property tax assessment records. If your assessment increased after improvements, that's another form of documentation. The assessment office might even have notes about specific improvements that led to the increase.

Has anyone mentioned homeowners insurance records? When we did major renovations, our insurance company made us update our policy to reflect the increased value of our home. I bet if you check with your insurance company, they might have documentation of when you reported improvements that increased your coverage.

Another avenue to explore is your mortgage records if you refinanced during or after the improvement period. When you refinance, the lender typically orders an appraisal that documents the current condition of the property. If you refinanced after doing improvements, that appraisal might specifically note the renovated kitchen, updated bathrooms, new deck, etc. Also, don't overlook social media posts or digital photos with timestamps. If you or your sister posted any "before and after" photos on Facebook, Instagram, or even just stored them in Google Photos or iCloud, those timestamps can help establish when work was completed. Digital photos often contain metadata showing the exact date they were taken. One more tip - check if any of your improvements came with manufacturer warranties that you registered online. When you register appliances, fixtures, or materials like roofing, those records create a paper trail showing when items were purchased and installed. Companies like Home Depot and Lowe's also keep purchase histories if you used a credit card or rewards account, even going back many years. The key is building a comprehensive timeline with multiple sources of evidence. Even without receipts, combining permits, tax assessments, insurance updates, photos, and warranty records can create a compelling case for your basis adjustments.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is reaching out to your utility companies. When we did major renovations like a new HVAC system, electrical upgrades for the kitchen, or plumbing work for bathroom additions, we often had to get utility inspections or service upgrades. Your electric, gas, and water companies might have records of when they came out to inspect new connections or upgrade service for your improvements. These are official utility records that can help establish when work was completed, especially for projects that required new electrical panels, gas lines, or water connections. Also, if you used any major suppliers like lumber yards or specialty contractors, try calling them directly. Many keep customer records going back years, especially if you were a repeat customer or did large projects. Even if they don't have exact receipts, they might have delivery records or project notes in their system that could help support your timeline and cost estimates. Don't give up - there are more paper trails out there than you might think! The key is casting a wide net and being creative about where documentation might exist.

Don't overlook your bank records! Even if you don't have receipts, your bank statements might show large withdrawals, transfers, or checks written during the renovation periods. Many banks can provide statements going back 7+ years, and some even longer if you request them specifically. Look for patterns of spending at home improvement stores, unusual cash withdrawals, or transfers between accounts that coincide with your renovation timeline. If you paid contractors with checks, your bank might have images of those canceled checks with the contractor names and amounts - that's solid documentation right there. Also consider credit card statements if you put any materials or labor on cards. Even partial payments can help establish that work was done and provide some cost basis. Call your credit card companies directly - they often keep records longer than what you can access online. Another angle: if you took out a home equity loan or line of credit specifically for renovations, those loan documents and disbursement records are excellent proof. Lenders typically require you to specify what the funds will be used for, so your loan paperwork might even detail which improvements you planned to make. The IRS understands that people don't always keep perfect records, especially for improvements made over many years. The key is showing good faith effort to reconstruct your basis with reasonable documentation and estimates. You're building a case, not just guessing at numbers.

I went through almost the exact same situation when I sold my primary residence after moving out years earlier! The lack of receipts felt overwhelming at first, but I was able to piece together enough documentation to claim substantial basis adjustments. Here's what worked for me beyond what others have mentioned: Check if your county assessor's office has online records showing property characteristics over time. Many counties now digitize old assessment cards that might note "new kitchen," "updated bath," or "addition" from specific years. These are official government records the IRS readily accepts. Also, don't forget about warranty cards and product registrations. When we installed new appliances, windows, or major systems, we often registered warranties online or mailed in cards. Companies like Whirlpool, Pella, or Carrier sometimes keep these records for decades. Even if it doesn't show installation costs, it proves when major components were purchased. One strategy that really helped: I created a detailed timeline with supporting evidence for each improvement, then researched what similar work cost during those specific years using sources like RSMeans construction cost data or HomeAdvisor's historical pricing. The IRS accepts reasonable estimates when supported by this type of research. Remember, you don't need receipts for 100% of your improvements to make a significant difference in your capital gains. Even documenting half of what you did could save you thousands in taxes. The key is being thorough, reasonable, and well-documented with whatever evidence you can gather.