What expense must be paid to consider it deductible for rental property within the same tax year?

To ensure an expense is considered deductible for rental property within the same tax year, it typically needs to meet certain criteria, including being necessary, ordinary, and directly related to the management of the rental property. The correct answer emphasizes the importance of safety inspections, which are vital for ensuring the property complies with health and safety regulations. By conducting safety inspections, a property owner can maintain tenant safety and satisfaction, which is an integral part of property management.

Deducting expenses for safety inspections is essential because they are often considered routine maintenance and are necessary for preserving the property’s value. Such expenses need to be documented and incurred within the tax year in question to be claimed as deductions.

Other potential options, such as maintenance costs or expenses charged on a certain date, do not universally qualify as necessary deductible expenses within that tax year. Additionally, the requirement for cash payments isn't a strict standard for deductibility; expenses may be deductible regardless of the payment method, provided they meet the regulatory criteria for being incurred in the relevant tax year.