can rental expenses (de-leading) be claimed on a 2020 return if the unit was not rented until 2021

[dennis11]

substantial updates were done to a rental unit in 2020 but the unit was not rented until 2021 can the expenses be claimed on a 2020 return

[Just-Lisa-Now-]

Cant be used until the rental is put in service, otherwise it just adds to basis.

[PATAX · Accepted solution]

It is called The General matching principle, IE match income and expenses.

[dennis11]

Thank you