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The Daily Insight

Is the sale of a home exempt from capital gains tax?

Author

Andrew Mclaughlin

Published Feb 23, 2026

The sale of a principal residence is exempt from capital gains tax. The said principal residence pertains to the seller’s family home or the dwelling house, including the land on which it is situated, where the husband and wife or an unmarried individual, whether or not qualified as head of family, and members of his family reside.

How much can you exclude from taxes on sale of home?

If you have a gain from the sale of your main home, you may be able to exclude up to $250,000 of the gain from your income ($500,000 on a joint return in most cases). If you have gain that cannot be excluded, it is taxable.

Can a seller accept a sales tax exemption?

But as with all things sales tax, it is rarely that simple. Sellers who accept exemption certificates have responsibilities too. And on either side – whether you’re the purchaser or seller – not handling exempt transactions and exemption certificates correctly could lead to costly issues come audit time.

What do you need to know about the home sale exclusion?

If you’re a homeowner this is the one tax law you need to thoroughly understand. The Two Year Ownership and Use Rule Here’s the most important thing you need to know: To qualify for the $250,000/$500,000 home sale exclusion, you must own and occupy the home as your principal residence for at least two years before you sell it .

Are there any exemptions for paying property taxes?

But ​​when it comes to property taxes, you could pay too much if you don’t know you qualify for an exemption. You might spend a few hours doing the research and the paperwork, but you could lower your tax bill enough to make it worth your time. Here are five of the most common types of property tax exemptions:

When does the senior property tax exemption kick in?

A homestead exemption aimed at seniors may only defer property taxes until the home is sold. And don’t assume exemptions for seniors kick in at 65. Washington state reduces property taxes for homeowners the year after they’re 61. Nashua, N.H., increases the amount of the senior exemption as you age. When you turn 65, you get a $192,000 exemption.

What kind of taxes are associated with the sale of real estate?

The Taxes Involved in a Sale of Real Estate Property 1 Income Tax 2 Value-added tax (VAT) 3 Capital Gains Tax 4 Documentary Stamp Tax 5 Transfer Tax 6 Creditable Withholding Tax More …