Deffered tax deductions

What is the name of your state? North Carolina

I received rental income for the last 6 months of 2003 on property I inherited. There are a lot of deductions I can take on the schedule E. Mortgage insurance I paid, utilities,supplies etc. I also had to purchase a lawn mower, weed eater and other equipment for property upkeep.I won't need all these deductions to bring my 2003 taxes owed down to zero. Can I claim some of them on my 2004 schedule E instead? I will have 12 months of rental income in 2004 and will need the extra deductions then.

I had to pay $1200 for an appraisal on the property. Is the $1200 deductable under professional fees on the Schedule E?
Are any of the fees I paid a lawyer deductable?

Thank you for any advice you can give. These forums provide a lot of helpful information!

[abezon]

You can depreciate the equipment you purchased, which will shift expenses into future years. You have to deduct the utilities & other operating expenses the year you pay them.

You can amortize the appraisal & the attorney fees as startup costs, over 5 years. This assumes that you had no right to have those fees paid by the estate.