Divorce and Sale of the Principal Residence

The division or other disposition of the marital residence has always been a major issue in most divorces. Given the tremendous increase in the value of homes in recent years, the economic and tax concerns of dealing with the marital residence are even more acute for clients and their advisers. The general rules governing income taxation on the sale of a residence were enacted as part of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, Public Law 105-34, which became effective Aug. 5, 1997. Prior rules concerning home sale rollover, or exclusion of gain by certain older taxpayers, are generally no longer relevant and not discussed in this article.

29 minute read January 27, 2006 at 10:42 AM
By
Martin M. Shenkman
Divorce and Sale of the Principal Residence

The division or other disposition of the marital residence has always been a major issue in most divorces. Given the tremendous increase in the value of homes in recent years, the economic and tax concerns of dealing with the marital residence are even more acute for clients and their advisers.

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