I sold my primary home in 2018 - I did not have to pay any tax on the gain (under $250K). Can I write off any of the other expenses associated with the sale?

[rjs · Accepted solution]

No, you can't write off any selling expenses. Selling expenses, such as a broker's commission, are not a separate deduction. They just reduce your gain. But your gain was already less than the exclusion amount, so reducing your gain would not make any difference in your tax.

If you paid any mortgage interest or real estate tax in 2018 before you sold the home, you could deduct those the same as if you had not sold the home. But those are itemized deductions. They will not make any difference in your tax unless your total itemized deductions are more than your standard deduction.