Gains From Selling A Home

Married couples can exclude up to $500,000 of gain when they sell their home ($250,000 for individuals). The home must have been the principal residence for at least 2 of the last 5 years. Homeowners can receive a portion of the exclusion based on how long they live in the home, as long as the sale is due to a change in place of employment or health, or unforeseen circumstances, such as death, divorce, unemployment, or natural disaster.

For example, a married couple lives in a home for only a year and then sells it, due to unforeseen circumstances, for a $60,000 profit. They are allowed to take up to 50% (because they lived in the home for 50% of the 2 years required) of the $500,000. Thus, they can exclude every penny of their $60,000 gain.

Sales of partial interests and of vacant land around your home may also qualify for the exclusion.

The exclusion, which can be used once every 2 years and at any age, has been broadened by recent IRS regulations. And application of these rules can be retroactive. Contact us to see if a sale you are currently contemplating, or a sale within the last few years, would qualify for the exclusion.