Made a profit selling your home? Here's how to avoid a tax bomb this filing season

If you recently made a profit selling your home, it may come with a costly surprise this filing season: capital gains taxes on your windfall.

In 2021, the average U.S. home seller scored a profit of $94,092, up 71% from $55,000 two years ago, according to ATTOM, a nationwide property database.

While many sellers’ profits fall under the capital gains thresholds for primary homes, others may get hit with an unexpected bill, particularly long-time property owners, experts say.

Home sales profits are considered capital gains, levied at federal rates of 0%, 15% or 20% in 2021, depending on taxable income.

The IRS offers a write-off for homeowners, allowing single filers to exclude up to $250,000 of profits and married couples filing together can subtract up to $500,000.

But these thresholds haven’t changed since 1997, and median home sales prices have more than doubled over the past two decades, affecting many long-term homeowners. 

“It’s become a huge part of the conversation now,” said John Schultz, a CPA and partner at Genske, Mulder & Company in Ontario, California.

While the exemption may be significant for some homeowners, there are strict guidelines to qualify. Sellers must own and use the home as their primary residence for two of the five years preceding the sale.

“But the two years don’t have to be consecutive,” said Mary Geong, a Piedmont, California-based CPA and enrolled agent at the firm in her name.

Someone owning two homes may split time between the properties, and if their cumulative time living at one place equals at least two years, they may qualify.

Moreover, someone may convert a rental property to a primary residence for two years for a partial exclusion. In that case, the write-off is based on the percentage of their time spent living there, she explained.

For example, if a single filer owns a rental property for 10 years and lives there for two, they may be eligible for 20% of the $250,000 exclusion or $50,000.

“But you need good recordkeeping,” Geong added.

If homeowners exceed the exemptions and owe taxes, they may reduce profits by adding certain home improvements to the original purchase price, known as basis, Schultz explained.

For example, home additions, patios, landscaping, swimming pools, new systems and more may qualify as improvements, according to the IRS. 

However, ongoing repairs and maintenance expenses that don’t add value or prolong the home’s life, such as painting or fixing leaks, won’t count. 

Of course, homeowners need to show proof of improvements, which can be difficult after many years. However, if someone lost receipts, there may be other methods.

“Property tax history can help you go back and recalculate some of that,” Schultz pointed out, explaining how reasonable estimates may be acceptable. 

Homeowners may also increase basis by adding certain closing costs, such as title, legal or surveying fees, along with title insurance.

There’s also the possibility of other tax consequences when selling a home with a large profit.

For example, boosting adjusted gross income can affect eligibility for health insurance subsidies, and may require someone to pay back premium credits at tax time.

And retirees’ increasing income may trigger higher future payments for Medicare Part B and Part D premiums.

“If you’re selling any asset of significance, you should be talking to some type of advisor,” Schultz said.

A financial advisor or tax professional can project possible outcomes depending on someone’s complete situation to help them pick the best move.