Questions From Readers

Members of the Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants are answering readers' tax questions through April 15.Q: My former residence was rented in the beginning of 1995. Am I required to take the depreciation on the property? If I choose not to depreciate it, will the IRS penalize me for the depreciation that I could have taken but didn't take when I sell the property in the near future? I understand only the house and not the land is depreciable.A: If the property is used to produce income, such as rental income, the property becomes eligible for depreciation and it should be claimed.

It's income tax season, and again this year The Baltimore Sun and the Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants will offer readers help on state and federal income tax returns. Association members, all certified public accountants, will answer selected questions from readers over the enusing weeks until the April 15 filing deadline.Readers may submit questions by calling Sundial and recording their questions. Selected questions and answers will appear in the Business section of The Sun and The Evening Sun. Although it is not required, callers are encouraged to leave their names and phone numbers should questions need to be clarified.

Mr. Baseball is on-call to answer questions from readers on all baseball-related topics. Be it a thought about the Orioles lineup or an inquiry into purchasing a stadium tarpaulin for home use, Mr. Baseball has the answers.Write Mr. Baseball with your questions. His address: Mr. Baseball, c/o Sun Sports Department, 501 N. Calvert St., Baltimore, Md. 21278-0001. Or fax him at (410) 783-2518.If you have a question for Mr. Baseball, call Sundial, The Baltimore Sun's telephone information service, at (410)

A joint service from The Baltimore Sun and the Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants can help you with your state and federal tax returns. Association members, all CPAs, will answer questions from readers until April 15.Readers may submit questions by calling Sundial or writing or sending a fax to the Business News Department. Selected questions will be answered in the Business section of The Sun and The Evening Sun. Callers are encouraged, but not required, to leave their names and phone numbers should questions need to be clarified.