

Calculate the total capital gain (total net proceeds less basis less Section 121 exclusion, if applicable).Ģ. Here are the steps to calculate the taxable income on each installment received:ġ. If you're anticipating a large capital gain, reporting the entire amount in the year of sale could bump you into a higher tax bracket, whereas reporting the gain in installments will allow you recognize smaller portions of the gain from year to year. Similar to the term of the note, the interest rate is agreed upon between the buyer and seller.Īn installment sale is taxed differently than a regular sale each installment is taxed in the year received, making it favorable for sellers who want to spread out their tax liability over a number of years instead of pay 100% of the tax in the year of sale.

In addition to a sale, it's an investment secured by the property that allows you to earn a steady return for an extended period of time. We'll dive deeper into installment sales in a minute – don't touch that dial.Īnother benefit of seller financing is that the owner, as a result of holding the note, earns interest from the buyer, just like a bank would. The installment sale treatment affects only the seller on the buyer's end, it's treated the same way as if the property was financed with a traditional mortgage. An installment sale is when the proceeds and the gain from the sale are received and recognized, respectively, over time (in installments). If it's spread over more than one tax year, it's considered an installment sale for tax purposes. The repayment period of a seller-financed note can be any length of time it's completely up to the buyer and seller. There are multiple reasons that make owner financing an attractive option for sellers. Those who are selling their primary residences with little to no debt on the property and capital gains in excess of the Section 121 exclusion (if applicable) are prime examples of who should consider seller-financed transactions.

The buyer furnishes a down payment and borrows the rest from the seller the seller essentially acts as the bank and holds a note. Seller financing in real estate is, quite literally, when the seller of a property finances the transaction. The better news is that it could be a tax-advantaged strategy when selling your home. If you've never heard of “seller financing” (AKA “owner financing”) in relation to real estate, the good news is it's an easy concept to understand.
