- The original investment you made in the property minus the value of the land on which it sits.
- Certain items like legal, abstract or recording fees incurred in connection with the property.
- Any seller debts that a buyer agrees to pay.
What are the two rules of the exclusion on capital gains for homeowners?
Sale of your principal residence. We conform to the IRS rules and allow you to exclude, up to a certain amount, the gain you make on the sale of your home. You may take an exclusion if you owned and used the home for at least 2 out of 5 years. In addition, you may only have one home at a time.
How do I avoid capital gains on sale of primary residence?
Home sales can be tax free as long as the condition of the sale meets certain criteria: The seller must have owned the home and used it as their principal residence for two out of the last five years (up to the date of closing). The two years do not have to be consecutive to qualify.
What can you deduct from taxes when you sell a house?
Closing costs that can be deducted when you sell your home
These may include: Owner's title insurance. An owner's title insurance policy protects you against prior ownership claims on the property. Property taxes.
How do you calculate land basis?
- Start with the original investment in the property.
- Add the cost of major improvements.
- Subtract the amount of allowable depreciation and casualty and theft losses.
How long do you have to live in a house to avoid capital gains tax IRS?
When does capital gains tax not apply? If you have lived in a home as your primary residence for two out of the five years preceding the home's sale, the IRS lets you exempt $250,000 in profit, or $500,000 if married and filing jointly, from capital gains taxes.