Madison and I learned about this important step when we helped my Mother-in-law sell her family home. She was faced with a huge tax bill, until we did the research!

Losing a loved one is an emotionally challenging experience, and amidst the grief, handling the subsequent financial and legal responsibilities can be overwhelming. One crucial step is determining the value of any property they owned at the time of their death. This is not just a bureaucratic detail—it has significant tax implications that can affect your financial future.

Understanding the "Step-Up in Basis"

When a loved one passes away, their property typically receives a "step-up in basis" for tax purposes. The basis of a property is its original purchase price, adjusted for improvements and depreciation. The step-up in basis recalculates the property’s value to its fair market value at the date of the owner's death. This adjustment can significantly reduce capital gains taxes if you decide to sell the property in the future. 

For instance, if your parent bought a home for $90,000, and it's worth $500,000 at one spouses passing, the property’s basis steps up to $500,000. Selling it for $550,000 within a year would mean you owe capital gains tax on the $50,000 profit, not the $460,000 gain from the original purchase price.

The Role of RM Home Specialists

To ensure an accurate step-up in basis, obtaining a comprehensive report of value on the property is crucial. We provide a detailed report of the property’s fair market value for our clients at the time of your loved one’s death. This documentation is essential for:

1. Tax Reporting and Compliance: Accurate property valuation is necessary when filing the estate’s tax return to report the fair market value and avoid penalties and interest.
   
   
2. Minimizing Capital Gains Tax: A professional appraisal ensures the new basis is precise, reducing potential capital gains taxes when you sell the property.
   
   
3. Equitable Distribution Among Heirs: A fair valuation helps ensure an equitable distribution among multiple heirs, preventing legal disputes.

We are here for you!

At RM Home Specialists, we understand the complexities of managing an estate during a difficult time. We provide comprehensive support and information to help you navigate these challenges. Our team of experts is here to assist with property appraisals, helping prepare a home for a sale, and maximize your family assets. Whether the monies are for care of a family member or part of an estate, we’ve got you.

Here are some estates where we’ve worked with the families in preparing the home and determining a tax bases at the time of a spouses passing. Contact us today for the support and information you need during this challenging time.

Tacoma Estate

Lakewood Estate

For more information, check out this blog from 2021, where we helped a family prepare their estate in beautiful Point Fosdick, Gig Harbor. We go into more detail about how we help our clients prepare for market.

Regina and Madison
RM Home Specialists
Licensed Managing Brokers | Realtors® 
Windermere North Narrows

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