Recently sold home after 23 months with large capital gains. Do I apply for the work-related move capital gains exemption based on the details below?

[mchenson16]

My wife is a wedding photographer and from our previous house that we sold, her commute was on average greater than 50 miles to her photoshoot destinations.  One of the reasons we moved was to be closer to her photoshoots.  Does this qualify as a work related move?

[MaryK4]

Because it is not new employment, it probably does not apply.  I could see an argument that she is taking new jobs and your move would be closer to her work locations but it is not a "new job".

You meet the requirements for a partial exclusion if any of the following events occurred during your time of ownership and residence in the home:

1. You took or were transferred to a new job in a work location at least 50 miles farther from the home than your old work location. For example, your old work location was 15 miles from the home and your new work location is 65 miles from the home.
2. You had no previous work location and you began a new job at least 50 miles from the home.
3. Either of the above is true of your spouse, a co-owner of the home, or anyone else for whom the home was his or her residence.

[mchenson16]

Thank you for your feedback! That is helpful information.  The only other detail I will add is that my wife was formerly a teacher in 2021.  She began Photography work in the fall of 2021, but we were not able to sell our house and move until June 2022.  Do you think that is would be considered a "new job"?

[MaryK4]

Yes, that actually changes the answer- because of the time that you had the home for sale and that she was looking in a specific geographical location for her new business, this would qualify as a work-related move and qualify you for the partial exclusion.  @mchenson16