Q&A

Do widows have to pay capital gains?

Do widows have to pay capital gains?

In general, a person who meets certain qualifications does not have to pay federal taxes on gains from the sale of his principal residence, up to certain limits. After that, a widow must file as a single person and is thus eligible to exclude only $250,000 in gains if she sells her home.

What was the original value of my house when my husband died?

Your half of the house is still at its original tax basis of $150,000 (half of the original $300,000 purchase price), but your husband’s half of the house stepped up to $275,000 when he died (half of the house’s value on the day he died of $550,000). Add $150,000 to $275,000, and you get $425,000 as the tax basis of your home.

When to sell your home after your spouse dies?

According to IRS Publication 523, “If you sell your home after your spouse dies (within two years after your spouse dies), and you have not remarried as of the sale date, you can count any time when your spouse owned the home as time you owned it, and any time when the home was your spouse’s residence as time when it was your residence.”

What happens if I Sell my husband’s share of my home?

On your husband’s share of the home, you inherited the home at a value of $250,000 and are now selling that share for $250,000. That means that you’d pay no tax on the sale of his half when you sell and you wouldn’t pay any tax on your half since the profit on your half is under the $250,000 exclusion you’re allowed.

What’s the profit on Selling Your Husband’s House?

The profit on your half would be $200,000, or the difference between your half of the sales price of $250,000 and your half of the purchase price of $50,000. On your husband’s share of the home, you inherited the home at a value of $250,000 and are now selling that share for $250,000.

Your half of the house is still at its original tax basis of $150,000 (half of the original $300,000 purchase price), but your husband’s half of the house stepped up to $275,000 when he died (half of the house’s value on the day he died of $550,000). Add $150,000 to $275,000, and you get $425,000 as the tax basis of your home.

Can you sell your house after your spouse dies?

Selling your house after your spouse dies is similar to the process of selling a house when he is still alive. The listing and selling process is the same, and you use the same purchase agreements. The key difference is that you will have to have the title put solely in your name.

How did I Lose my Husband one year ago today?

One year ago today, I lost my husband. I hate that sentence. I hate the part before the comma and I certainly hate the part after the comma. I hate today. I hate the memories of a year ago today. As I slept,  I reached for his hand, and it wasn’t there to hold. That startled me awake. It perfectly summarizes the beginning of year two though.

What happens when the owner of a house dies?

If there are enough liquid assets (e.g., bank accounts) to pay the debts, the house would likely pass to whomever the deceased listed as the beneficiary in her will. However, if the house was purchased during marriage, a surviving spouse may claim an interest in it in some states.