701 May 2026

AI responses may include mistakes. For financial advice, consult a professional. Learn more Topic no. 701, Sale of your home | Internal Revenue Service

This is a complete exclusion, meaning you don't even have to reinvest the money into a new house to keep the profit tax-free. Core Requirements for the Benefit

: You must have lived in the home as your main residence for at least 24 months . AI responses may include mistakes

The centerpiece of Topic 701 is the , which allows homeowners to sell their primary residence and exclude a massive portion of their profit from federal income tax: Single Filers : Can exclude up to $250,000 of capital gains.

: You generally cannot have used the exclusion for another home sale in the two years prior to the current sale. Important "Gotchas" and Nuances 701, Sale of your home | Internal Revenue

: Unlike other investments, you cannot deduct a loss from the sale of your personal residence on your taxes.

For deeper details, the IRS provides Publication 523, Selling Your Home, which includes worksheets to help calculate your specific gain or loss. : You generally cannot have used the exclusion

: If your profit exceeds the exclusion limits, you can often reduce your taxable gain by adding the cost of major home improvements (like a new roof or kitchen remodel) to your "cost basis".