Worried about a tax bill when you sell? For most homeowners, the gain on a primary residence is largely or fully excluded. Here's how it works in Florida.
The primary-residence exclusion
If the home was your primary residence for at least 2 of the last 5 years, you can generally exclude up to $250,000 of gain (single) or $500,000 (married filing jointly) from federal capital gains tax. Many sellers owe nothing.
No Florida state capital gains tax
Florida has no state income tax, so there's no state-level capital gains tax on your sale — only potential federal tax on gain above the exclusion. That's a meaningful advantage over high-tax states.
Investment & second homes
The exclusion is for primary residences. Investment properties and second homes don't qualify, but a 1031 exchange may let you defer gains by reinvesting in another investment property. This is where planning pays off.
Get it right before you sell
Timing, basis (improvements add to it), and exchanges can change your outcome. We coordinate the sale, and the tax strategy is handled by your CPA or our founder's firm. See what your home is worth → or ask us how to plan the sale →.
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Keep reading: How Much Does It Cost to Sell a House in Florida? · Florida Homestead Exemption: How to Lower Your Property Taxes · Buying a Beachside Home in Volusia County: What to Know · All insights →
About the author — Arthur Simpson
Arthur is a Florida attorney, licensed real estate broker, and Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS), and a member of the Real Property and International Law Sections of The Florida Bar. He founded Simpson & Simpson Realty to give Volusia & Flagler families — and buyers from around the world — a brokerage with a real estate attorney's eye on every deal. Meet Arthur & the family →