The $500,000 homeowner tax break
There is a large tax break that allows you to exclude up to $250,000 ($500,000 married) in capital gains on the sale of your personal residence. But making the assumption that this gain exclusion will always keep you safe from tax can be a big mistake. Here is what you need to know:
The basics
To qualify for the capital gains tax exclusion when you sell your home, you need to pass three hurdles:
It's your main home. It can be a traditional home, a condo, a houseboat, or mobile home. Main home also means the place of primary residence when you own two or more homes.
You pass the ownership test. You must own your home during two of the past five years.
You pass the residency test. You must live in the home for two of the past five years.
There are some additional quirks to know about, including:
You can pass the ownership test and the residence test at different times.
You may only use the home gain exclusion once every two years.
You and your spouse can be treated jointly OR separately depending on the circumstances.
When to pay attention
You have been in your home for a long time. The longer you live in your home the more likely you will have a large capital gain. Long-time homeowners should check to see if they have a capital gains tax problem prior to selling their home.
Two homes into one. Newly married couples with two homes may have a potential tax liability as both individuals may pass the required tests on their own property but not on their new spouse's property. Prior to selling these individual homes, you may wish to create a plan of action that reduces your tax exposure.
Selling a home after divorce. Property transferred as a result of a divorce is not deemed a sale of your home. However, if the ex-spouse that retains the home later sells the home, it may have an impact on the amount of gain exemption available.
You are helping an older family member. Special rules apply to the elderly who move out of a home and move into assisted living and nursing homes. Prior to selling property, it is best to review options and their related tax implications.
You do not meet the five-year rule. In some cases you may be eligible for a partial gain exclusion if you are required to move for work, disability, or unforeseen circumstances.
Other situations. There are a number of other exceptions to the home gain exclusion rules. These include foreclosure, debt forgiveness, inheritance, and partial ownership.
Recordkeeping is key
The key to obtaining the full benefit of this tax exclusion is in retaining good records. You must be able to prove both the sales price of your home and the associated costs you are using to determine the gain on your property. So keep all sales records, original home purchase records, improvement costs, and other documents that support your home's capital gain calculation.