Homeownership and taxes: Things taxpayers should consider when selling a house

July 2, 2021

It’s important for taxpayers to understand how selling your home may affect your tax return. When filing your taxes, you may qualify to exclude all or part of any gain from the sale.

Here are some key things homeowners should consider when selling a home:

Ownership and use

To claim the exclusion, the taxpayer must meet the ownership and use tests. During a five-year period ending on the date of the sale, the homeowner must have owned the home and lived in it as their primary residence for at least two years.

Gains

Taxpayers who sell their primary home and have a gain from the sale may be able to exclude up to $250,000 of that gain from their income. Taxpayers who file a joint return with their spouse may be able to exclude up to $500,000. Homeowners excluding all the gain do not need to report the sale on their tax return.

Losses

Some taxpayers experience a loss when their primary residence sells for less than what they paid for it. This loss is NOT deductible.

Multiple homes

Taxpayers who own more than one home can only exclude the gain on the sale of their primary residence. They must pay taxes on the gain from selling any other home.

Reported sale

Taxpayers who don’t qualify to exclude all the taxable gain from their income must report the gain from the sale of their home when they file their tax returns. Anyone who chooses not to claim the exclusion must report the taxable gain on their tax return. Taxpayers who receive Form 1099-S, Proceeds from Real Estate Transactions, must report the sale on their tax return even if they have no taxable gain.

Possible exceptions

There are exceptions to these rules for some individuals, including persons with a disability, Peace Corps workers, and certain military or intelligence community members.

Worksheets

Worksheets included in Publication 523, Selling Your Home can help taxpayers figure the adjusted basis of the home sold, the gain or loss on the sale, and the excluded gain on the sale.