What Are the Tax Issues Associated With a Gain or Loss on a Primary Residence?

January 2016

Watters Financial Services, LLC

For most Americans the most valuable asset they own is their home. At Watters Financial Services, LLC we invest a great deal of time helping our clients with their financial planning issues. One of the issues that comes up often is what to do with the primary residence, especially for those clients nearing retirement. The following brief article takes a look at some of the tax issues associated with a gain or loss on a primary residence. It is an interesting article for anyone who has questions about how real estate is taxed. If anyone has any questions or concerns regarding this article please call my office at 201-843-0044.

What Are the Tax Issues Associated With a Gain or Loss on a Primary Residence?

Description: A homeowner may be able to claim a significant tax break on any gain from the sale of a primary residence. Here's more on the break.

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, you may be able to exclude from income any gain up to $250,000 for a single taxpayer and $500,000 for a married couple filing a joint return. Generally, to exclude the gain, you must have owned and lived in the property as your main home for two of the five years prior to the date of the sale. If you lose money on a sale, the loss is not tax deductible.

Your Adjusted Basis

A dollar amount known as your adjusted basis determines whether you experience a gain or a loss. If you purchased or built your home, your initial cost basis typically is the cost to you at the time of purchase. If you inherit a home, the cost basis is the fair market value on the date of the decedent's death or on a later valuation date selected by a representative of the estate.

The formula for determining your gain or loss is as follows:

Selling price - Selling expenses = Amount realized

Amount realized - Adjusted basis = Gain or loss

The cost basis may be adjusted over time due to the following conditions:

·      Additions and other improvements that have a useful life of more than one year and that add to the value of your home. These may include a garage, decks, landscaping, a swimming pool, storm windows and doors, heating and air conditioning systems, plumbing, interior improvements and insulation. Note that repairs that keep your house in good condition but do not significantly enhance value, such as fixing gutters, repainting, or plastering, do not affect the basis.

·      Special assessments paid for local improvements.

·      Amounts spent to restore damaged property.

·      Payments for granting an easement or right-or-way.

·      Depreciation if the home was used for business or rental purposes.

·      Others as determined by the Internal Revenue Service (See Publication 523 Selling Your Home).

The definition of a "main home," according to the Internal Revenue Service, includes a private residence, condominium, cooperative apartment, mobile home or houseboat. It is to your advantage to maintain records of a home's purchase price, purchase expenses, improvements, additions, and other issues that may affect the adjusted basis.

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