Understanding Capital Gains in Real EstateWhen you sell a stock, you owe taxes on your gain—the difference between what you paid for the stock and what you sold it for. The same is true with selling a home (or a second home), but there are some special considerations. How to Calculate Gain In real estate, capital gains are based not on what you paid for the home, but on its adjusted cost basis. To calculate this:
A Special Real Estate Exemption for Capital Gains Since 1997, up to $250,000 in capital gains ($500,000 for a married couple) on the sale of a home is exempt from taxation if you meet the following criteria You have lived in the home as your principal residence for two out of the last five years. You have not sold or exchanged another home during the two years preceding the sale. Also note that as of 2003, you may also qualify for this exemption if you meet what the IRS calls “unforeseen circumstances” such as job loss, divorce, or family medical emergency. Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine Online by permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Copyright / All rights reserved. Courtesy of Kevan Patel, Real Estate Broker LIC# 3318839 https://www.yourflhouse.com |