Conroe – This is one of the first questions potential short sale sellers ask us. “I heard of something called “forgiveness of debt income and that it is taxable. How does that work?” they ask.
The following article is my personal opinion only. I recommend that you consult with a competent legal or tax professional before moving forward with a short sale.
In most cases the answer is that a short sale will usually not cause you to owe income tax.
Click here to discover how other sellers successfully did a short sale and avoided foreclosure.
It used to be that you owed income tax on any forgiveness of debt.
When a lender decides to forgive all or a portion of a borrower's debt, the forgiven amount is considered as income for the borrower and is liable to be taxed.
Here are the following ways you can qualify to short sale a property without any tax liability.
Short Sale of a Primary Residence. The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 (and it’s extension in the 2008 Federal Bailout) now allows you to short sale a primary residence without any tax liability.
Today when a homeowner short sales a primary residence, they can file a simple form and the forgiven debt is no longer taxable.
The amount of forgiven mortgage debt allowed to be excluded from income tax is limited to $2 million per year.
Short Sale of a Non-Primary Residence: If the property you are selling is not a primary residence, then you may be eligible for tax relief if you are considered insolvent.
I don’t know the exact guidelines, but insolvent is usually considered when your total gross debts are more than your total gross assets. I’m sure a good tax professional can give you more information.
Click here to view the IRS’s website about the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act and Debt Cancellation.
Click here to view the article on the IRS’s Website: Mortgage Workouts Now Tax-Free for Many Homeowners.
Thinking about a short sale? I can help you short sale your property and get back on your feet. Send me an e-mail at . I will contact you for a free consultation.
When we talk, I will explain how the process works in detail and answer any questions you may have. Or, if you prefer, you can call me at 936-321-2977
Discover how other sellers successfully completed a short sale and request a free consultation by clicking here.
Thinking about a loan modification? Our Conroe loan modification kit has the instructions you will need to get a loan modification approved with your bank. Click here to request a copy.
Thanks for reading this, Laura Austin.
Laura is a Real Estate Agent at Keller Williams Realty.
Phone: 936-321-2977. .
View My homes for sale at .
Laura Bolieu Austin specializes in loan modification assistance and short sales in Conroe Texas. Conroe Loan Modification Help, Conroe Short Sales. Conroe Short Sale Realtor. Conroe Short Sales. Conroe Realtor.
Copyright 2012 SFI Marketing Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Important Notice
Laura Austin, Keller Williams Realty, and the Stop Foreclosure Institute are not affiliated in any way, shape, or form with the government. Our services have not been reviewed or endorse by the government or your lender. Most lenders willingly work with agents on short sales. Why?
Because most short sales are beneficial to a lender. If you accept our offer to help you on a short sale, your lender may not agree to a short sale or to modify your loan. We do offer a loan modification kit.
However, the likelihood of negotiating a modification is like everything else in life. It takes work and persistence to convince your lender to modify your loan. No matter what you or we do, your lender may not approve a loan modification.
We do not recommend that you stop paying your mortgage, because this will cause damage to your credit and could cause you to lose your home. Because we know avoiding foreclosure is so important to any homeowner, we recommend that you speak with the appropriate legal or tax advisor before making any decision.
This is not intended as legal, technical, or tax advice. Please speak with a licensed professional before making any decision. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed as of the date of writing.
You have the option to reject a short sale or loan modification from your lender if it does not meet your approval. If you decide not to go thru with the short sale, then you do not have to pay us our fee. We normally make a real estate sales commission for helping you on a short sale.
The views expressed here are Laura's personal views and do not reflect the views of Keller Williams Realty.
This information on Conroe Short Sales: Will I Owe Income Tax After A Short Sale? is provided as a courtesy to our viewers to help them make informed decisions.
Laura Bolieu Austin
ABR, CDPE, CDRS, CSSBR, CHMS,
CSP, GRI, SFR, SRES, TAHS,
Certified New Home Buyers Representative
REALTOR®
Keller Williams Realty - Conroe
936-321-2977 Direct
281-798-2911 Cell
866-347-2911 Fax
Laura@RealtyTx.net
www.RealtyTx.net
www.StopForeclosuresInTX.com
www.AvoidForeclosureInConroe.com
