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I sold my house for a $100,000 profit. I dont qualify for a

 

Customer Question

I sold my house for a $100,000 profit. I dont qualify for a new mortgage due to low credit scores. How will capital gains tax effect me? When does it have to be paid? This was my first home. Where can I put my money for 1-6 years to avoid capital gains tax until I am ready for a mortgage? Is there a one time forgiveness?

 



Already Tried:
nothing.

Submitted: 341 days and 23 hours ago.
Category: Capital Gains and Losses
Value: $45
Status: CLOSED
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Expert:  jkcpa replied 341 days and 22 hours ago.

Hello,

Thanks for your question.

If you owned and used this home as your primary residence (main home) for at least 2 years out of the past 5 years prior to the date of the sale, you can exclude up to $250,000 of the gain ($500,000 if married filing joint). You do not have to purchase another residence in order to exclude the gain (profit).

If this home was for rental or investment purposes, you would have to report the gain.

For reference, see http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc701.html

Best regards,

jkcpa41044.7542773148

Customer replied 341 days and 22 hours ago.

heres a complication. The house was quit claimed to me in 2005 after a divorce. i was not the original purchaser. Is the initial value of the house from when my ex bought it in 1989 for 250,000, or is it the estimated value of the house at the time of the quit claim in 2005 as per the court records, which was $300,000?

Customer replied 341 days and 22 hours ago.

I sent a new part to the question.

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Expert:  jkcpa replied 341 days and 22 hours ago.

Hi,

According to the IRS, the basis of the property transferred between former spouses is not increased to the value at the time of the quit claim or divorce. You would keep your ex's adjusted basis for the house. If you made any improvements to the house, you would add to this basis.


Customer replied 341 days and 22 hours ago.

there have been many improvements to the house. do i have to have receipts for new roof, septic, new porch , etc? I dont think i have kept them.

Accepted Answer

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Expert:  jkcpa replied 341 days and 21 hours ago.

Did you use the home as your primary residence for at least 2 years out of the 5 years prior to the sale of the home? If so, you can exclude up to $250,000 of the gain. If you can exclude the gain, you probably won't need to worry about the receipts.

If you did not meet the exclusion requirements, then yes, it would be best to try to get receipts so as to document the increased basis you claimed. In the event of an audit, you may be asked to provide documentation of the basis.

Expert TypeCPA
Category: Capital Gains and Losses
Pos. Feedback: 100.0 %
Accepts: 7
Answered: 5/15/2012

Experience: CPA with 18 years of tax experience.

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