Why Some Sellers May Get a Break From the IRS

Why Some Sellers May Get a Break From the IRS

 

Most people who sell their home after having owned it for at least two years don't have to pay federal taxes on their gain.  A sale in less than two years after the purchase, however, often triggers some sort of tax hit.  But even owners who need to sell in less than two years may qualify for special relief if they had to sell because of "unforeseen circumstances," according to a 1997 law.

 

The general rule is that you can exclude a gain of as much as $500,000 if filing a joint return with your spouse, or as much as $250,000 if single or filing separately, under certain circumstances.  To be eligible for this full exclusion, you typically must have owned your home, and lived in it as your primary residence, for at least two of the five years prior to the sale.  This rule applies only to a main residence, not a vacation home.

 

Even if you can't meet the two-year tests, you still may be eligible for a reduced exclusion if you had to sell because of "a change in place of employment," health reasons or "unforeseen circumstances."  An IRS publication offers a general definition of unforeseen circumstances as "the occurrence of an event that you could not reasonably have anticipated before buying and occupying your main home."

 

Talk to your tax accountant or advisor to see whether you might qualify under the "unforeseen circumstances" ruling, or see the IRS Publication 523 for more information.

 

Think you might qualify for such an exception?  Post your comment here and we'll try to get an answer for you.