Capital Gains Tax Exclusion for Homeowners: What to Know

As a homeowner, you may have concerns about paying capital gains tax when you decide to sell your home. Luckily, there is a tax provision known as the "Section 121 Exclusion" that can help you save on taxes following a home sale.

In simple terms, this capital gains tax exclusion enables homeowners who meet specific requirements to exclude up to $250,000 (or up to $500,000 for married couples filing jointly) of capital gains from the sale of their primary residence. This means that if you sell your home for a gain of less than $250,000 (or $500,000 if married, filing jointly), you will not be obligated to pay capital gains tax on that amount.

However, there are certain criteria you must meet to qualify for the home sale exclusion. There are also several exceptions to the 121 exclusion rules. Here is more of what you need to know to help determine whether you qualify.

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Avoiding capital gains tax: 121 Home Sale Exclusion requirements

Primary Residence: You must have owned and used the home as your primary residence for at least two of the five years leading up to the date of the sale. The IRS allows you to have only one primary residence at a time, and the agency uses various factors to determine whether a home qualifies as a primary residence. Notably, however, the two years don't have to be a consecutive, single block of time during the five years.

Frequency: You can only claim this exclusion once every two years. So, if you have already excluded gains from a previous home sale within the last two years, you will need to wait before you can claim it again.

Eligible Gains: The exclusion applies only to gains from your home's sale, not losses. Additionally, any portion of the profit exceeding the $250,000/$500,000 limit will be subject to capital gains tax.

Note: It's important to keep detailed records of your home sale, including the purchase price, any improvements made to the property, and expenses. These records will help you accurately calculate your capital gains and determine if you qualify for the exclusion.

Exceeding the Limit: If your profit exceeds the exclusion limit, you will need to pay capital gains tax on the amount that surpasses the limit. For example, if you are single and your profit is $300,000, $50,000 of that profit ($300,000 - $250,000) would be subject to capital gains tax.

In that case, the tax rate you pay on the excess profit depends on your income and whether the gain is short-term or long-term. Generally, long-term capital gains tax rates are lower than ordinary income tax rates.

Home sale exclusion exceptions

As mentioned, there are several exceptions to IRS home sale exclusion rules. For example, if you are transferring a home to a spouse or ex-spouse the IRS doesn’t consider that to be a gain or a loss. 

• Other exceptions to the rules apply in situations involving U.S. military service members or where the primary home sale is a factor in separation, divorce, or death of a spouse. 
• Situations involving vacant land, destroyed homes, like-kind exchanges, or business or rental income generally trigger different tax rules, requirements, and tax treatment.

For more information on these and other situations, see IRS Publication 523.

What about a partial home exclusion?

If you don't meet the eligibility test for the maximum home sale exclusion, you may still qualify for a partial exclusion of gain. For example, according to the IRS, you can meet the requirements for a partial exclusion if the main reason for your home sale was a change in workplace location, a health issue, or an unforeseeable event. For more information on how partial home exclusions are calculated, you can find resources on IRS.gov or consult with a qualified and trusted financial advisor.

Remember that, in any case, certain factors, such as any depreciation claimed for the home, may affect capital gains tax. It is also important to consider any state or local taxes that may apply to the sale of your home.

However, consulting with a tax professional is a good idea if you need clarification on your eligibility or help navigating the complexities of tax laws. They can provide personalized advice based on your situation and ensure you take full advantage of any available tax benefits.

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