Home sale tax and closing guides
Plain-language guides to the Section 121 exclusion, ownership and use tests, adjusted basis, depreciation after rental use, Form 8949 reporting and seller closing costs.
Section 121 Exclusion Explained ($250k / $500k)
Plain-language guide to the federal main-home gain exclusion, ownership and use tests, dollar caps, partial exclusion and depreciation limits under IRS Publication 523.
Ownership and Use Tests (2 of 5 Years)
How the Section 121 ownership and use tests work inside the five-year look-back, including joint returns, noncontinuous stays and what happens when you fall short.
Partial Exclusion: Work, Health, Unforeseen Events
How the reduced Section 121 maximum works when you sell early or claimed a recent exclusion, including the months/24 fraction and qualifying reasons in Publication 523.
Adjusted Basis: Improvements vs Repairs
How to build home adjusted basis from purchase price, capitalizable closing costs and improvements, and how repairs, depreciation and credits reduce that basis.
Depreciation Recapture After Rental Use
Why depreciation allowed or allowable after May 6, 1997 is not excludable under Section 121, how rental history changes basis, and how to enter it on SaleGain worksheets.
Reporting a Home Sale (Form 8949 / Schedule D)
When a home sale appears on Form 1099-S, Form 8949 and Schedule D, how Section 121 exclusions are shown, and what SaleGain does not file for you.
Seller Closing Costs Checklist
A practical checklist of commissions, payoffs, title fees, transfer taxes, prorations and concessions sellers face at closing — plus how they differ from tax worksheets.
Surviving Spouse and Divorce: Home Sale Basics
Educational overview of how death of a spouse and divorce can affect Section 121 ownership/use tacking and basis — with pointers to Publication 523, not automated conclusions.
Selling a Home Used Partly for Business
How home-office and rental portions interact with Section 121, depreciation that cannot be excluded, and when allocation between dwelling and exclusive business space matters.
Records to Keep When You Sell Your Home
A document checklist for basis, improvements, depreciation, closing statements and Section 121 workpapers to retain after you sell a main home.