My father,a senior citizen ,is selling his flat after 20 years. What capital gains tax and how can he save it.
813670
I am also a seniour citizen.  My investment is in property only.  My strong advise is not to sell the flat unless you are badly in need of money.  The value of properties are going up and up daily.  If you sell now, you cannot buy it again.  Selling property and paying capital gains is all waste.\n\nIf you have to sell your property, and if you happend to pay tax, to avoid paying tax he has to invest the profit in capital gain bonds. If your father has no other income, then you can deduct Rs.1.85 lakhs from the profit. Say indexation profit is 3 lakhs. less 1.85 lakhs rebate to >65 years old people. Your net profit on which you have to pay tax @20% is Rs.1.15 lakhs.)\n\nWhat Mr.Rupin sain in his above answer is partly not correct.  For the purpose of Long Term Capital Gains on Property, you have to go indexation only and no other methos. (The other method of 10% is only for mutual fund units.) Mr.Rupin said two methods.  No two methods. Only one method for property that is indexation and 20% tax.\n\nI have given the below answer to a question about long term capital gains of a property.  Follow this.  This will give you how to calculate the tax.  About 20 years back say during 1985-86 the indexation was 133.  For 2005-06 it is 497. \n \nCost if Indexation is only for the purpose of calculating Long Term Capital Gains. Listed/shares sold in Indian Stock Exchanges are free from payment of Tax, if they are sold after 12 months of purchase. Other properties will be treated as Long Term Cap. Gains if they were sold after 36 months. For this, the indexation cost will apply and the income tax on this income is @20% flat rate. \n\nExample:\nOn 17.9.1982 your have purchased a house plot for Rs.10,000/-. That is in the FY:1982-1983. The Cost of inflation index for that year was 109;\n\nOn 16-11-2005 you have sold the same for Rs.8,00,000. The financial year is 05-06 and the inflation index for that year was 497.\n\nYour actual gain is (8,00,000-10,000) Rs.7,90,000/- \n\nYour actual cost of the house site is Rs.10,000\n\nYour inflation indexation cost is 10,000 x 497/109= Rs.45,596/-\n\nYour inflation indexation gain is Rs.8,00,000-45,596= Rs.7,54,404. \n\nThe tax on it will be Rs.1,50,881+ED2%. \n\nIf you need any personal clariication (free advise), please send me a mail to my mail address neswarareddy@yahoo.com
1126701
Your basic state pension should be below your personal tax allowance and so you shouldn't pay any tax. You should also get a £200 heating allowance that is tax free and doesn't effect benefits like housing benefits and council tax benefits. Maybe, you have a private pension that has took you over the threshold. Income from investments can do the same. If it's investments - you can change them and go for investments that will give you growth as opposed to income. Investments that grow are subject to capital gains tax and you also have a personal allowance for capital gains tax of £8,800 a year. Maybe you could contact age concern and see if they can give you advice - make sure you are getting all your benefits and tax credits and investing in a tax efficient way. the system is unfair - that's why Gordon Brown has very little time to change economic policy to make it better the the old, disabled and chronically sick - or his chances of becoming the next Prime Minister - is no chance. He doesn't look after you and me - we don't vote for him and his corrupt cronies at the General Election. let them enjoy their jags, mansions, mistresses and the gravy train - it will come to a sudden end.
597227
did you use the interest and taxes as deductions in the past (you should not have technically)\n\non non personal property (you did not live there) that is not (has not) generated income the interest and taxes are added to the base cost of the property (this will help reduce your gain; it is not a capital gain though)\n\na property that is purchased to be sold and not rented is treated the same way as inventory would be treated (you pay income tax, it is not a capital gain)\n\nif you have a loss it is applied against your income to reduce your taxable income\n\n\n\nTaxation – Lesson 7\nCMA Canada - July 2004 Page 31\nBusiness income versus capital gain\nIn most cases, a business is readily identifiable by the nature of its activities. For example, the manufacture and development of computer chips for resale would constitute\na business. Sometimes, however, it is difficult to distinguish whether income from a transaction is business in nature or capital gain. The sale of land can be either a capital transaction or a business income transaction depending on the facts of the circumstances.\nThe distinction is important because, as you will see, business income is fully taxed whereas only one-half of capital gains are taxed. Moreover, business losses can be\napplied against all other sources of income (e.g. capital gains or employment income), whereas capital losses are only available for offset against capital gains. Business income\nis taxed less favorably while business losses are treated more preferentially. The full amount of business income is taxed in the year that it is earned while only one half of\ncapital gains are taxable, in the year in which the gain is realized. Business losses, unlike that of capital losses, can be used to offset income from all other sources.\nThe chief factor in distinguishing a business activity from a capital gain transaction is the intended use of the property on acquisition. The principal reason for the purchase and the subsequent use of the property will determine the type of income of the profit (loss)\ngenerated upon sale. If the property was acquired for the purpose of resale, then its disposition is likely business income. i.e. if the property purchased is considered\ninventory, then all profits triggered upon sale would be considered business income.\nConversely, property acquired for the purpose of providing the owner a long-term benefit is likely capital property; its disposition creates a capital gain or loss, i.e. any gains generated upon the sale of capital assets used in the course of running a business are deemed to be capital gains.
246913
Live in the home for 2 years. You can also sell the home and buy another rental property. Its called a like exchange. Those are the only two Ways that you can get out of paying capital gains. If you don't want to do that make sure you add everything you have ever done to the rental property in the last 8 years to the basis of the house. (landscaping,repairs,trips to check on the property and to sell etc.)
350939
What you are referring to is for primary residences after people have lived there for 2 years... This does not apply in you situation.\n\nWhat does apply is a procedure known as a 1031 exchange.  1031 exchanges allow you to totally defer your capital gains tax by reinvesting the proceeds of your sale into another 'like kind' property.  (like-kind refers to the other property being investment use as compared to personal use).\n\nI'm finishing up the testing on a 1031 exchange site.  The information is real, and many of the test properties are available listings as well.\n\nFeel free to check the site out for the basics on a 1031 exchange.
971536
If the real estate in question is the primary residence if the Sr. Citizen and they  have used it as their primary residence for 5 years or more, there is no federal capital gains tax.  Otherwise, Uncle Sam has his hand out looking for some scratch.
709679
The only way to reduce the taxes on the gain on real estate is to do a "Section 1031 Exchange".  The only problem is that you do not receive cash.  You received another piece of real estate.\n\nThere is not a way to reduce taxes on the sale of stocks at a gain.
521478
Unfortunately, you can only roll it over into another investment property (Like-kind exchange)  Applying it to your residence will not work.  You have sixty days (before or after the closing) to identify another property and 180 days to close on it.  If you held the property for investment (say yes) and held if for over 12 months, you will pay tax on it at the lower capital gains rates. If you held it for less than 12 months, it is considered ordinary income and is taxed at your regular rate.  If it is less than a year, see if the buyer will wait until the year is up.  Give them soem money back at closing to compensate them for waiting.  It could be worth your while.  To see what the tax might be, use your tax software to estimate what your tax would be.  Sorry to hear about the medical problem, I hope everything works out.  Also, ANY profit is a good profit!!!!!
743449
If this is your primary residence there is no capital gains tax. The purchasor will only pay stamp duty at 3% (£10,800).\nIf this is not your promary residence you will also pay capital gains tax. But to calculate that you will need to give the price you bought the house for and how long you have held it.\nCapital gain will be at gain (£360,000-purchase price) adjsted for taper relief (depends on how long you have held it). \nAlso any improvements you have made can be taken into account in the cost (e.g. extensions).
1003012
e bay is your best option but it is better to keep it.  it will be worth some money after he retires.
294639
Upon your mothers death you would inherit the house tax free with a stepped up basis equal to its current market value. At that point you could sell it with little or no tax consequence. If her estate is under the threshold in the year she died, the estate would not have a tax either. Since I don't know the value of her estate, I can't answer that ??. If you sell now, she might have a taxable event if the house appreciated more than $250K since 1999 basis she got when your dad died. \n\nThere are a few wrinkles based upon the info above. If it were my own situation, I know enough to make the decision, in your case you should spend an hours time with a CPA who knows estates & trusts.\n\nIf you want, post your moms basis on DOD in 1999, current value and size of estate and we could hash it out a bit more. However it is still wise to see a CPA.
131455
Under IRS 1031 rules you may sell income property and reinvest entire amount in income property and NOT be subject to any capital gains tax. This does not apply if your are selling your residence (where you live), however in this example  single persons gets up to a $250,000 exemption before taxes apply and a married couple gets $500,000.  There are many IRS 1031 rules that must be strictly complied with to avoid tax on an investment sale and purchase .  Look for a 1031 Qualified Intermediary in your local phone book or on the Web.
257911
The inheritance tax threshold was raised in the budget on Wednesday (22/03/06).\n\nCurrent rules mean that 40% tax must be paid on any estate worth more than £275,000. This threshold will rise to £285,000 from April and then £300,000 by the 2007/2008 tax year.\n\nIf your house is worth substantially less than this then it may not be worthwhile.\n\nAlso you would have to live for 7 years in order for the house to be classifed as a "gift" by the Inland Revenue. If you pass away before that then the house will still be taxed as inheritance.\n\nOne option is to move house and then use any spare cash to gift or distribute.\n\nIf you do consider that signing over 50% of your hosue is the best way you should investigate carefully the laws on tenants in common, as this is treated slightly differently to joint ownership.\n\nFor full information check out the Inland Revenue website here:\n\nhttp://www.hmrc.gov.uk/leaflets/iht.htm
358266
If it's your main residence and you live in the UK no. If it's not your main residence you pay capital gains tax. You have an allowance for capital gains for the year 2006 to 2007 of £8,800 so you pay tax on a gain over that. you should also adjust for the effects of inflation - check the finance pages on TV teletext - there used to be a chart for that on there - not sure if there still is. Outside the UK the tax rules are probably similar - ask your local IRS office. Incidentally, capital gains applies to the sale of a copyright so if you write a magazine feature in the UK and get paid up to £8,800 in this financial year - you won't pay tax on it. Assuming you haven't used your allowance for something else. Capital gains tax does not apply to cars, household furniture, etc. Basically, stuff that goes down in value normally. So you can't offset the loss on a car against a gain. But a gain on a car is tax free (as long as you don't sell them as a business).\n\nThat is one hell of a top answer! 10 points!
181771
No, you don't need a tax accountant.\nYou need Turbotax for $20.\n\nhttp://www.turbotax.com/\n\nIt will determine if you pay capital gains by asking you a bunch of questions about the property.\nThen it will print out all your tax forms all neatly done for you and you can even send them in on the internet with it. I always do that.
874327
I think a couple of people may have missed the fact that you said this is an INVESTMENT property.  If this is your personal residence the answer is, indeed, no. (and since you referred to the 2 out of 5 rule you may have just misspoken when you said investment because that rule ONLY refers to primary residences). However if this was an investment and you lived somewhere else than you can take a capital loss. (If there was personal use AT ALL of the property it is NOT an investment). All of your improvements will be added to basis to possibly increase your loss.  Please keep in mind that your capital losses can offset your capital gains and then go to a maximum $3000 ($1500 if MFS).  Any excess loss will be a carryover loss to be used in future years.
884991
I see some interesting responses on here.  I disagree with the reverse mortgage suggestion.  Up front it sounds great to take out a mortgage and never have to worry about paying it.  Needless to say interest continues to accrue and as this person suggested it will be paid from the estate.  Many times however it requires the estate to sell the home to do so.  I would only suggest a reverse mortgage as a last resort.  \n\nThis situation is a sensitive one as many factors come into play.  Such as what is the value of his 401K, what other sources of income does he have and what other savings vehicles are available to him.  Since he is in his 60's he can withdraw from his 401K without a penalty although he is still subject to taxation on the lump sum distribution.  This is why it is important to know what other sources of income he does have and are those other sources taxable. \n\nIf he his paying a high mortgage rate there is some benefit to paying off his mortgage, but not if this severely depletes his liquid assets.  It is a complicated question and needs a full financial analysis to see if it is beneficial.  \n\nI would however avoid that reverse mortgage option in this situation.