Tax season will be upon us in less than 2 months. If you are selling a house in Pennsylvania, check out these tax tips for selling your home! Be sure to consult with your trusted legal and tax professional for specific guidance on your situation.
For specific questions, contact a trusted tax professional.
Not All Profits Are Taxable
Per the IRS, you will be able to exclude a significant portion of your profits under certain conditions. Typically, you will be able to exclude $250,000 from your tax return, and up to $500,000 if filing a joint return. (However, if you sell for a loss, you won’t be able to take a deduction for that amount.)
The deduction is only available when selling your primary residence, and can only be used once every two years. To qualify for the deduction, you must have lived in the residence for at least two of the past five years.
It is important that whenever you move, you update your address with the IRS to start the clock on the residency requirement.
Other Exclusions
If you don’t meet the above requirements, you still might be able to exclude a portion of your profits from your income tax. There are many special conditions you can meet in order to receive a prorated, tax-free gain. If you need to sell because of a change in your health, a job change or other unforeseen circumstances, you will be able to write-off a portion of the profit.
Reporting the Sale
You will need to report the sale if you receive a 1099-S form from the closing agent. This form provides the IRS with information regarding the proceeds from real estate transactions. To avoid reporting, make sure that you are able to exclude all profits. Let the agent know at the time of closing that the form will not need to be issued. Even if you are able to deduct all profits, if the form is issued, you will still need to file it with the IRS… even if no money is owed.
Capital Gains Taxes
If you are selling a Philadelphia investment property or house you have only owned briefly, you will likely be subject to the capital gains tax. Capital Gains taxes are tiered based on your adjusted gross income (AGI). If your income is below the designated threshold, you will not owe capital gains taxes. People in higher tax brackets can pay upwards of 20%. Short-term assets are typically taxed the same as ordinary income.
First-Time Homebuyer Credit
Depending on the dates you bought and sold, you might have to pay back all or part of the credit you received. Typically if you move within 36 months of purchasing the home, the credit must be paid back upon the sale of the home. Special rules apply and can be found in Publication 523 from the IRS.
Deduct Selling Costs
When selling your Philadelphia house, you will be able to deduct any reasonable cost when selling your home. This includes the closing costs, improvements and or repairs made in order to sell the house, assessments, marketing costs, agent fees and so on. Keep track of every cent you spend in an effort to sell your home. Come tax time, this can amount to major deductions!
No matter what time of the year you sell, it is always important to seek the counsel of professionals. Consult your agent, accountant, and attorney to make sure you have set up the best terms for yourself.
Don’t stress too much about taxes when putting your house up for sale in Philadelphia. Odds are Uncle Sam won’t be getting his hands on your profits.