We are thrilled to announce that Prestige Accounting Services Group (previously Prestige Wealth Accounting Group) has joined forces with Bacchetta & Company in an exciting new partnership!
Facing a Huge Gain from a Realty Sale?
Article Highlights:
- Adjusted Basis
- Passive Loss Carryovers
- Installment Sale
- Tax-Deferred Exchange
- Tax on Net Investment Income
- Qualified Opportunity Fund
- Home Sale Exclusion
Adjusted Basis - So, what is adjusted basis? Determining adjusted basis can sometimes be complicated, but in a simplified overview, it is a dollar amount that starts with your acquisition value and is then adjusted up for improvements to the property, down for depreciation taken on the property, and down for any casualty losses claimed on the property. The acquisition value could be the price you paid for the property, the fair market value of an inheritance at the date of the decedent’s death, or, in the case of a gift, the donor’s adjusted basis at the time of making the gift.
As you can see, it is extremely important that you keep track of your basis, since it is a key factor in determining gain or loss upon the sale of the property. Failure to keep a record and substantiating documentation could cost you dearly in income tax.
Passive Loss Carryover - If the property was a rental and the rental operated at a loss, there is a chance that the losses were not fully deductible in the year(s) of the loss because of the passive loss limitation rules; in this case, you will have a passive loss carryover that can be used to offset the gain. In addition, current year passive losses and passive loss carryovers you may have from other properties can also be used to offset any gain from selling a rental property.
Next, you have to decide whether you want to take (i.e., report on your tax return) all the income in one year or whether to attempt to spread the income over a period of years with an installment sale (by carrying back a loan) or defer the income into a replacement property through a tax-deferred exchange.
Installment Sale - In an installment sale, the seller acts as the lender to the buyer. That can entail holding the first trust deed or taking back a second trust deed for only a portion of the loan amount. However, second trust deeds are as the name implies: They are second in line to be paid if the buyer defaults on the loan and thus are riskier. When set up as an installment sale, part of the gain is reported for each year that payments are received, generally as capital-gain income. In addition, the interest that the buyer pays the seller is taxable as ordinary income to the seller. Installment sales can be structured as short- or long-term loans, but remember, the buyer can always pay off the loan early or refinance. Either of these actions would make the balance of the profit from the sale taxable at that time.
Tax Deferred Exchange - Another option if the property is held for investment or used in a trade or business is to defer the gain down the road. This is accomplished by using the rules of IRS Code Section 1031, which allows the taxpayer to acquire like-kind property and defer the gain into the replacement property, which also must be used for business or be held for investment. However, the rules for like-kind exchanges are complicated, have strict timing issues, and require advance planning with a professional familiar with Section 1031 rules.
Net Investment Income Tax - Adding complications to the sale-planning issue is the surtax on net investment income. This 3.8% additional tax kicks in when a taxpayer’s modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) exceeds $200,000 ($250,000 for married joint filers and $125,000 for married individuals filing separately). Gain from the realty sale is included in the MAGI and could cause the MAGI threshold to be exceeded, resulting in this surtax applying to some or all of the realty gain. However, it may be minimized, or possibly eliminated, by using an installment sale and spreading the gain over a number of years or deferring down the road with a tax-deferred exchange.
Qualified Opportunity Fund (QOF) – Taxpayers who have a capital gain from selling or exchanging any property to an unrelated party may elect to defer that gain if it is reinvested in a QOF within 180 days of the sale or exchange. One exception is that the gain from the subsequent sale of the QOF cannot be deferred into another QOF. Only one election may be made with respect to a given sale or exchange. If the taxpayer reinvests less than the full amount of the gain in the QOF, the remainder is taxable in the sale year, as usual. Only the gain need be reinvested in a QOF, not the entire proceeds from the sale. This is in sharp contrast to a 1031 exchange where the entire proceeds must be reinvested to defer the gain.
Home Sale Exclusion - If the real estate is your home (primary residence), there are special rules. Generally, if you own and occupy the home in two out of the five years prior to the sale, you will be able to exclude a substantial portion of your gain. The tax-deferred exchange rules do not apply to personal-residence sales. The amount of the home exclusion can be as much $250,000 ($500,000 for married couples filing jointly). There are even special rules that allow a reduced exclusion under certain special circumstances.
As you can see, the result of selling real estate property can include a number of tax issues, and minimizing current taxes requires some careful planning. Please give this office a call for assistance in planning your real estate transactions.
More About Us
Get to Know Prestige Accounting Services Group (previously Prestige Wealth Accounting Group)
Offices in Flemington, NJ and Califon, NJ
Our Mission: At Prestige Accounting Services Group (previously Prestige Wealth Accounting Group), we are on a mission to redefine the tax experience for individuals and small businesses. With a focus on personalized service, strategic planning, and expert guidance, we aim to empower our clients to succeed financially with confidence and ease.
Expertise in Action: With a wealth of experience and a team of dedicated professionals, we specialize in individual and small business tax preparation. While we excel in all areas of taxation, our passion lies in serving the unique needs of small business owners in New Jersey. We understand that small business taxation requires specialized knowledge and attention to detail, which is why we go above and beyond to ensure our clients receive the guidance and support they deserve.
Tailored Solutions for Every Client: Whether you're a high-net-worth individual seeking comprehensive tax planning or a small business owner in need of accounting and bookkeeping assistance, we have the expertise to meet your needs. Our team takes the time to understand your specific situation and develop customized solutions that align with your goals and objectives.
Why Choose Us?: What sets us apart from other New Jersey tax firms is our commitment to excellence and innovation in the field of taxation. We don't just prepare tax returns; we provide strategic insights, proactive planning, and actionable advice to help our clients achieve their financial goals. With a team of two CPAs, an EA, and an ERO, we have the expertise and resources to deliver exceptional service and results.
Your Success is Our Priority: At Prestige Accounting Services Group (previously Prestige Wealth Accounting Group), we measure our success by the success of our clients. We are dedicated to building long-lasting relationships, providing unparalleled service, and helping our clients thrive in today's ever-changing tax landscape.
We can't wait for you to experience the Prestige Accounting Services Group (previously Prestige Wealth Accounting Group) difference.
Tax & Small Business Updates
Get the latest in tax and small business updates and issues that affect your finances and growth prospects.