Do I count real estate taxes paid as sales expenses when I sell my house

[LindaA]

No, real estate taxes (property taxes) are not an expense of the sale. Sales expenses are listed in the seller's column of your settlement statement and include:

• Commissions
• Appraisal fees
• Broker's fees
• Legal fees
• Advertising fees
• Home inspection reports
• Title insurance
• Transfer taxes or fees
• Geological surveys
• Loan charges (points) or other fees paid on the buyer's behalf

Sales expenses do not include:

• Mortgage payoffs
• Home equity loan payoffs
• Rent-back costs
• Payoff to creditors
• Property taxes
• Homeowner association (HOA) fees