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Unlock Tax Benefits: Why Maintaining Home Improvement Records is Essential Before Selling Your Home

Homeowners often lack awareness of the significance of keeping detailed home improvement records, mistakenly believing that their potential capital gain upon selling their home won't surpass the tax code’s exclusion limit. However, this oversight could lead to substantial tax implications.

According to the current U.S. tax code, individuals can exclude up to $250,000—or $500,000 for married couples—from their income if their primary residence is sold, provided they've owned and lived in it for at least two of the past five years. It’s critical to note that this home-sale gain exclusion is limited solely to your main home and does not extend to a second residence or a rental property.

Meeting the use and ownership criteria does not necessitate consecutive years or years immediately preceding the sale. Short absences and rentals won’t impact the use period. For married couples aspiring to qualify for the $500,000 exclusion, both must have used the home, while only one needs to satisfy the ownership requisite. If only one spouse qualifies, the exclusion limit reverts to $250,000.

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In certain scenarios, a prorated exclusion may apply if full criteria are unmet, such as job relocation, health crises, or unavoidable life events. Certain government personnel, including military members, might have the five-year period extended. Contact our office to determine if you qualify for a reduced exclusion under these circumstances.

Reasons to Maintain Home Improvement Records:

  • Long-term ownership combined with value appreciation and improvements that exceed exclusion limits.
  • Conversion of the home into a rental property, necessitating a calculable depreciable basis.
  • Transformation into a second residence where exclusions may not apply.
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  • Post-casualty loss retention after repairs.
  • Pre-exclusion ownership use requirements when sold.
  • Limited exclusion eligibility due to less than two-year ownership.
  • Post-divorce, when one spouse retains ownership and qualifies only for a $250,000 exclusion.
  • Potential future tax law adjustments affecting exclusion amounts.

While record-keeping might seem tedious, failing to do so could result in elevated capital gains taxes (CGT) if gains surpass exclusion thresholds, leading possibly to a higher tax bracket. Prudence dictates maintaining comprehensive records to effectively mitigate taxable gains.

Understand what qualifies as a home improvement: substantial enhancements like kitchen remodels, room additions, pools, and landscaping can raise your home's value. However, improvements such as solar panels or energy-efficient upgrades tied to tax credits, or those that are deductible like accessibility improvements, may only be partially included. Routine repairs and maintenance, such as painting and patch fixes, are excluded.

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If you need advice on the exclusion or clarification on how to track home improvements for tax purposes, contact our dedicated office for expert assistance.

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