The Federal Tax Code allows married taxpayers to exclude from capital gains taxes up to $500,000 in profits from selling a home (singles can exclude $250,000). In order to qualify for this exemption, you must prove that that the home has been your principal residence for at least two out of the last five years. The establishment of the home as a principal residence depends on the facts of each homeowner's circumstance. Here are two cases to consider.

Homeowner A has lived at 25 Pine Drive for 12 years. Although he stays at his vacation cottage in another town for up to three months out of each year (sometimes more), 25 Pine Drive is his principal residence, where he lives most of the time. When he sells the home, Homeowner A (filing as a single individual) can keep up to $250,000 in tax-free profit.

Homeowner B buys 108 Maple Street, intending to live there. He rents it out while waiting to sell his current home, where he has lived for six years. His principal residence sells at the end of two years. Homeowner B moves into his new house, lives there for three months, and then decides to travel. After a six-month trip, he regrets buying 108 Maple Street and sells it. Even though he has owned the house on Maple Street for over two years, it won't qualify as "owner-occupied", because he only lived in it for a few months. Thus Homeowner B is not eligible to claim the tax exemption when he sells the house on Maple Street.

Consult your tax advisor for advice about your particular circumstance.

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Kimberly Zimmerle
Realty Professionals
103 South Horton Hwy
Chapel Hill, TN 37034
931-703-1434
Fax: 931-364-4225
kimzimmerle@BestImageAgent.com

Kim Zimmerle is a full time Affiliate Broker who has been buying, selling, renting and listing properties in the Middle Tennessee area. She has experience in rural and urban, residential and land transactions. She enjoys working with people and has a personal relationship with her clients and understands their need and wants. Her ambition as a realtor is meeting dreams and goals of her clients with integrity, knowledge, dependability, experience and trust. She also represents Prime Builders a custom builder specializing in the design and construction of homes created with unsurpassed craftsmanship.

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