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October 17, 2024
Question

I recently sold a home I had inherited. Is there anything I can do to lower my taxes owed at the end of the year?

  • October 17, 2024
  • 2 replies
  • 0 views
sold home in California and want purchase a home in arkansas

2 replies

Employee
October 17, 2024
No text available
Employee
October 17, 2024

Because of the stepped us basis, your capital gain is only the difference between the selling price and the fair market value on the day the previous owner died, not the entire selling proceeds.  There are a few closing costs you may also be able to subtract from your gain.  See IRS publication 523.

https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-523

 

Also note, if you did not live in California, the sale will be considered California income, and you will need to file a non-resident return to report this income and pay state tax on it.  You also report the sale (along with all your other income) in your home state, but your home state will give you a credit for taxes you pay to another state so you aren't double-taxed on the same income.  

 

What you do next (like buying another house) has no effect on the taxability of the sale of the first house.