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July 12, 2023
Question

special assessments and cost basis

  • July 12, 2023
  • 2 replies
  • 0 views

I'm a bit confused on one of the answers I saw.  It said that special assessments need to be added to your cost basis, and in the same paragraph it said and that could reduce your capital gain.  If I'm increasing my cost basis by adding the assessment, wouldn't that increase my capital gain?

    2 replies

    VolvoGirl
    Employee
    July 12, 2023

    No.  If you sold it for 100,000 and your cost basis is 50,000 your gain is 50,000.  If you add 10,000 to the cost basis then your cost is 60,000 and the gain is reduced to 40,000 (100,000-60,000).  The capital gain is the profit.  

    Employee
    July 12, 2023

    @Brigantine117 wrote:
    If I'm increasing my cost basis by adding the assessment, wouldn't that increase my capital gain?

    No, it would serve to decrease your capital gain when you sell your property.

     

    Example:

     

    Purchase price: $100,000 = Cost basis

    Special Assessment: $10,000

    Adjusted basis = $110,000 (cost basis plus special assessment)

    Sales price: $150,000

     

    Gain: $40,000 (Sales price of $150,000 less $110,000 adjusted basis)