Why sign in to the Community?

  • Submit a question
  • Check your notifications
Sign in to the Community or Sign in to TurboTax and start working on your taxes
New Member
posted May 31, 2019 5:33:58 PM

Is there a one time exception for selling your primary home if the couple is older that 70 years?

0 1 947
1 Replies
Expert Alumni
May 31, 2019 5:33:59 PM

For federal tax purposes, there is no "age" special tax treatment for primary home sale.

However, there is an exception called section 121 exclusion, where individuals can exclude up to $250,000 ($500,000 if Married filing jointly) of gain on the sale of a home if three provisions are satisfied:

1) Ownership. The individual owned the home for at least two years during the 5-year period ending on the date of sale,

2) Use. The individual used the home as a principal residence for at least two years during the 5-year period ending on the date of sale, and

3) The individual did not exclude gain from the sale of another home during the 2-year period ending on the date of sale.

In Turbo Tax, please follow the steps below:

1.  Personal Tab (Federal Taxes for Deluxe, Premier)

2. Select Personal Income (Wages & Income for Deluxe, Premier)

3. Scroll down to Less Common Income

3. Select Sale of Home - continue through the interview; Turbo Tax will determine if you qualify for the exclusion and if you even have to report the sale of your main home.