Real estate tax tips for 2010

The real estate downturn that dominated 2009 leaves many on unfamiliar ground at tax time. Where better to look for advice than in suburban Los Angeles, where property values took a particularly vicious dive. There, Woodland Hills investment adviser Mark Kennedy shared his tips with WalletPop:

On Foreclosure: "Homeowners here are really getting screwed. If they do what's called a deed in lieu of foreclosure, their credit gets slammed, just like a foreclosure, and then, even if the bank forgives you, the IRS does not. Say you borrowed $500,000 and the house now is only worth $300,000. You would get a deficiency 1099 from the IRS for that difference. Doesn't make sense, but that's the rule."