Question

Wesley, who is single, listed his personal residence with a real estate agent on March 3 of the current year at a price of $390,000. He rejected several offers in the $350,000 range during the summer. Finally, on August 16, he and the purchaser signed a contract to sell for $363,000. The sale (i.e., closing) took place on September 7. The closing statement showed the following disbursements:
Real estate agent's commission $21,780
Appraisal fee 600
Exterminator's certificate 300
Recording fees 800
Mortgage to First Bank 305,000
Cash to seller 34,520

Wesley's adjusted basis for the house is $200,000. He owned and occupied the house for seven years. On October 1, 2017, Wesley purchases another residence for $325,000.
a. Wesley's recognized gain on the sale is __________
b. Wesley's adjusted basis for the new residence is ___________
c. Assume instead that the selling price is $800,000.
Wesley's recognized gain is _____________, and his adjusted basis for the new residence is __________

Answer 1

Answer:

a. Wesley's recognized gain on the sale is $0.

b. Wesley's adjusted basis for the new residence is $325,000

c. Assume instead that the selling price is $800,000.

Wesley's recognized gain is $326,520, and his adjusted basis for the new residence is $325,000.

Explanation:

Wesley's actual gain = $363,000 - $21,780 - $600 - $300 - $800 - $200,000 = $139,520, but it can all be excluded using section 121.

If the selling price is $800,000;

Wesley's actual gain = $800,000 - $21,780 - $600 - $300 - $800 - $200,000 = $576,520, but he can exclude $250,000, so his recognized gain = $326,520