Many taxpayers don’t feel the need to keep home improvement records, thinking the potential gain will never exceed the amount of the tax code’s exclusion for home gains explained as follows.
Under the current version of the tax code, you are allowed an exclusion of up to $250,000 ($500,000 for married couples) of gain from the sale of your primary residence if you owned and lived in it for at least 2 of the 5 years before the sale. You also cannot have previously taken a home-sale exclusion within the 2 years immediately preceding the sale. There is no limit on the number of times you can use the exclusion if you meet these time requirements; however, extenuating circumstances can reduce the amount of the exclusion. The home-sale gain exclusion only applies to your main home, not to a second home or a rental property.
As noted above, you must have used and owned the home for two out of the five years immediately preceding the sale. The years don’t have to be consecutive or the closest to the sale date. Vacations, short absences, and short rental periods do not reduce the use period. If you are married, to qualify for the $500,000 exclusion, both you and your spouse must have used the home for two out of the five years prior to the sale, but only one of you needs to meet the ownership requirement. When only one spouse in a married couple qualifies, the maximum exclusion is limited to $250,000 instead of $500,000.
If you don’t meet the ownership and use requirements, there are some situations in which a prorated exclusion amount may be possible. An example of this situation would be if you were required to sell the home because of extenuating circumstances, such as a job-related move, a health crisis or other unforeseen events. Another rule extends the 5-year period to account for the deployment of military members and certain other government employees. Please call this office if you have not met the two out of five rule to see if you qualify for a reduced exclusion.
But what if your home sale gain is more than the home sale exclusion? Then it is in your best interests to keep home improvement records. Even if only keeping the receipts for the improvements in a folder or a shoe box.
Here are some situations when having home improvement records could save taxes:
- The home is owned for a long period of time, and the combination of appreciation in value due to inflation and improvements exceeds the exclusion amount.
- The home is converted to a rental property, and the cost and improvements of the home are needed to establish the depreciable basis of the property.
- The home is converted to a second residence, and the exclusion might not apply to the sale.
- You suffer a casualty loss and retain the home after making repairs.
- The home is sold before meeting the 2-year use and ownership requirements.
- The home only qualifies for a reduced exclusion because the home is sold before meeting the 2-year use and ownership requirements.
- One spouse retains the home after a divorce and is only entitled to a $250,000 exclusion instead of the $500,000 exclusion available to married couples.
- There are future tax law changes that could affect the exclusion amounts.
Everyone hates to keep records but consider the consequences if you have a gain and a portion of it cannot be excluded. You will be hit with capital gains, and there is a good chance the capital gains tax rate will be higher than normal simply because the gain pushed you into a higher capital gains tax bracket. Before deciding not to keep records, carefully consider the potential of having a gain more than the exclusion amount.
Home improvements include just about anything that will increase the value of the home from big ticket items like swimming pools and landscaping to smaller items like ceiling fans. But there are some home improvements that cannot be included in the cost of home improvements. Those include items which qualify for tax credits such as home solar, home energy efficient improvements or those that qualify for a tax deduction such as handicap improvements.
If you have questions related to the home gain exclusion or questions about how keeping home improvement records might directly affect you, contact the experts at Henssler Financial:
- Experts Request Form
- Email: experts@henssler.com
- Phone: 770-429-9166
Disclosures: This article is meant to provide valuable background information on particular investments, NOT a recommendation to buy. The investments referenced within this article may currently be traded by Henssler Financial. All material presented is compiled from sources believed to be reliable and current, but accuracy cannot be guaranteed. The contents are intended for general information purposes only. Information provided should not be the sole basis in making any decisions and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified professional, such as a tax consultant, insurance adviser or attorney. Although this material is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with respect to the subject matter, it may not apply in all situations. Readers are urged to consult with their adviser concerning specific situations and questions. This is not to be construed as an offer to buy or sell any financial instruments. It is not our intention to state, indicate or imply in any manner that current or past results are indicative of future profitability or expectations. As with all investments, there are associated inherent risks. Please obtain and review all financial material carefully before investing. Henssler is not licensed to offer or sell insurance products, and this overview is not to be construed as an offer to purchase any insurance products.
