Month: June 2017

All have taken notice to the for-sale signs everywhere. It seems the real estate market is on a spiral only going up. While the higher homes prices and bidding wars are not ideal for the buyer’s market, it has great advantages for the sellers.

Are you or do you know of anyone frightened by the large amount of profit turned on the sale of a home? Well you’re in luck! Talking tax, there is a fantastic residential gain exclusion for singles and married couples. It is quite generous at a $250,000 excluded gain for singles and $500,000 excluded for married couples.

There are a few conditions that must be met that include an ownership, use and frequency test. The ownership and use tests require that the individual(s) own and use the home as a principal residence for at least two out of five years prior to the sale. The frequency test is a limitation that allows the annual exclusion to be used only once every two years.

For example, Jimmy bought a home in 2005 for $200,000 and then married Julie in 2008, whom moved in with Jimmy. In 2016, they sold their home for $700,000. They can exclude the entire $500,000 gain on a joint return because all tests are met.

How can you benefit yourself now and in the future at the same time? It’s simple, save money in a tax-deferred retirement account like a traditional IRA. A traditional IRA is a personal savings plan that allows a taxpayer to accumulate money tax free. For 2017, you can qualify for up to $5,500 in tax-deferred contributions made. If you’re 50 or older it is an extra $1,000.

To provide a clear picture, let’s say you contribute $5,500 to a traditional IRA. If you’re in the 25% tax bracket, this allows $1,375 in tax savings! Not only do you receive a tax savings, you also accumulate for retirement days.

Along with a tax deduction for traditional IRA contributions, there is a “Saver’s Credit” available to lower income individuals. You can receive a maximum credit of up to $2,000. Credits are much more beneficial than a deduction for the fact they reduce your tax liability dollar for dollar. Why not get both?