Hi All ,
I am a new immigrant in the USA, I came in March 2017, I live with my friend, I had a job in June and since then I have been paying with my friend half of the rental amount of his apartment, sometimes I pay the totality of the amount because he has some problem in his work. the lease is in his name. My question is that: in the tax declaration for the next year, I will be able to say that I am paying an amount of apartment rental, especially that the rental contract is not in my name? or you will consider that the fact of paying an amount for the rental of the apartment has no value in the calculation of taxes. I am new and I do not yet understand these things of Taxes,
I plan to stay with him for one year at least .
please advise me please

In general, on your US return, you can not claim rental expenses; however, if you pay property taxes as part of your lease agreement, these taxes are deductible on your federal tax. You can also deduct the cost of damage of your property because of fire, theft or other accidents. Some states also offer renters credits or deductions. Some states offer a renters tax credit, which usually represents an amount that the state has determined to be the portion of the rent that the landlord collects in order to pay property taxes. New Jersey allows renters to claim a credit based on the portion of their rent used to pay property taxes, within certain limitations. Renters in Maryland may receive up to $750 in tax credits depending on income and tax filing status.but, you can deduct the amount of rent represented by the portion of your home /apartment used for business, as well as a prorated portion of utility payments like water, power, heating and gas.