Meet Arthur Welch 

The Federal Tax Code allows married taxpayers to exclude from capital gains taxes up to $500,000 in profits from selling a home (singles can exclude $250,000). In order to qualify for this exemption, you must prove that that the home has been your principal residence for at least two out of the last five years. The establishment of the home as a principal residence depends on the facts of each homeowner's circumstance. Here are two cases to consider.

Homeowner A has lived at 25 Pine Drive for 12 years. Although he stays at his vacation cottage in another town for up to three months out of each year (sometimes more), 25 Pine Drive is his principal residence, where he lives most of the time. When he sells the home, Homeowner A (filing as a single individual) can keep up to $250,000 in tax-free profit.

Homeowner B buys 108 Maple Street, intending to live there. He rents it out while waiting to sell his current home, where he has lived for six years. His principal residence sells at the end of two years. Homeowner B moves into his new house, lives there for three months, and then decides to travel. After a six-month trip, he regrets buying 108 Maple Street and sells it. Even though he has owned the house on Maple Street for over two years, it won't qualify as "owner-occupied", because he only lived in it for a few months. Thus Homeowner B is not eligible to claim the tax exemption when he sells the house on Maple Street.

Consult your tax advisor for advice about your particular circumstance.

	See All Tips In The "First Time Buyers" Category >
	See Complete Library Of Hundreds Of Tips In 30+ Categories >

Arthur Welch
Realty World Superstars, LLC.
3939 North Holt Drive
Buckeye, AZ 85396
Office: 623-882-8882
Fax: 623-298-5660
arthurwelch@NUMBER1EXPERT.com

With over 20 years in the real estate industry, I bring valuable knowledge to the home buyer, investor, or asset manager. Having sold all types of homes and worked in many different jobs related to homes I can help the first time buyer as well as the custom home buyer, or the small or large investor. A 5 time Centurion Award winner with Century 21 and Top Producing Agent in the world for Realty World for 2008, 2009, and 2010. I could not do all this without a very good team to help me. Our goal is helping our clients achieve their objective in real estate. My team specializes in finding great deals in Buckeye, Avondale, Surprise, Tonopah, Glendale and Goodyear Arizona.

www.realtyworldsuperstars.com is brought to you by Arthur Welch, real estate for
Goodyear, Buckeye and Surprise, Arizona

Read Realty World Superstars' Privacy Guarantee, Terms of Service, and Free & Without Obligation Pledge