Putting your home on the market? Understand the tax
This article organizes the original guidance on putting your home on the market? understand the tax consequences of a sale into clear sections for easier reading and reference.
Overview
This opening section presents the main context from the original post.
As the school year draws to a close and the days lengthen, you may be one of the many homeowners who are getting ready to put their home on the market. After all, in many locales, summer is the best time of year to sell a home.
But it’s important to think not only about the potential profit (or loss) from a sale, but also about the tax consequences.
Gains
This section keeps the original guidance focused on gains.
If you’re selling your principal residence, you can exclude up to $250,000 ($500,000 for joint filers) of gain—as long as you meet certain tests. Gain that qualifies for exclusion also is excluded from the 3.8% net investment income tax.
To support an accurate tax basis, be sure to maintain thorough records, including information on your original cost and subsequent improvements, reduced by any casualty losses and depreciation claimed based on business use. Keep in mind that gain that’s allocable to a period of “nonqualified” use generally isn’t excludable.
Losses
This section keeps the original guidance focused on losses.
A loss on the sale of your principal residence generally isn’t deductible. But if part of your home is rented out or used exclusively for your business, the loss attributable to that portion may be deductible.
Second homes
This section keeps the original guidance focused on second homes.
If you’re selling a second home, be aware that it won’t be eligible for the gain exclusion. But if it qualifies as a rental property, it can be considered a business asset, and you may be able to defer tax on any gains through an installment sale or a Section 1031 exchange. Or you may be able to deduct a loss.
Learn more
This section keeps the original guidance focused on learn more.
If you’re considering putting your home on the market, please contact us to learn more about the potential tax consequences of a sale.
Related Resources
These resources connect the article topic with related Bowers service pages and approved professional reading.
FAQ
The questions below summarize the main points already covered in the article.
What is the main focus of Putting your home on the market? Understand the tax consequences of a sale?
The article focuses on putting your home on the market? understand the tax consequences of a sale and organizes the original guidance into sections for easier review.
What topics does the article cover first?
The article begins with gains and then continues through the remaining points in the original post.
Which additional areas are included?
Additional sections include losses, second homes, learn more.
Does the post include action items or reminders?
Yes. The original post includes listed items that have been kept in list format for easier scanning.
Was the original post wording changed?
The revision keeps the author wording and updates the structure so the post is easier to read online.