If you received a gift or inheritance, do not include it in your income. However, if the gift or inheritance later produces income, you will need to pay tax on that income.
Upon selling an inherited asset, if the inherited property produces a gain, you must report it as income on your federal income tax return as a beneficiary.
In California, real property is one of the most valuable assets you can inherit from a loved one. But inheriting real estate that has increased in value over time can trigger capital gains tax consequences when you sell that piece of property.
The income that inherited assets generate after they are inherited, such as dividends from stocks, rent from properties, or interest from cash accounts, is considered taxable income under Federal law.
If you receive income from an inheritance, providing documentation such as a will or a letter from the estate executor can prove your financial resources. This documentation should outline the amount inherited and any distribution schedule, giving landlords a clear understanding of your long-term financial stability.
When a house is transferred via inheritance, the value of the house is stepped up to its fair market value at the time it was transferred, according to the IRS. This means that a home purchased many years ago is valued at current market value for capital gains.
Inheritance checks are generally not reported to the IRS unless they involve cash or cash equivalents exceeding $10,000. Banks and financial institutions are required to report such transactions using Form 8300. Most inheritances are paid by regular check, wire transfer, or other means that don't qualify for reporting.
Inherited properties can come with financial responsibilities such as existing mortgages, unpaid property taxes, maintenance costs, and insurance requirements. Be aware of hidden costs, including emergency repairs, property management fees, and legal expenses.
Your share of sales proceeds (generally reported on Form 1099-S Proceeds From Real Estate Transactions) from the sale of an inherited home should be reported on Schedule D (Form 1040) Capital Gains and Losses in the Investment Income section of TaxAct.
Many people worry about the estate tax affecting the inheritance they pass along to their children, but it's not a reality most people will face. In 2025, the first $13,990,000 of an estate is exempt from federal estate taxes, up from $13,610,000 in 2024. Estate taxes are based on the size of the estate.
The straightforward answer is no, and there is no specific time limit on selling an inherited property. However, certain factors will influence the timeline of the sale process. Understanding these nuances is key to ensuring a smooth and compliant sale.
Additionally, you must report the sale of the home if you can't exclude all of your capital gain from income. Use Schedule D (Form 1040), Capital Gains and Losses and Form 8949, Sales and Other Dispositions of Capital Assets when required to report the home sale.
There are some benefits for people who choose to make an inherited property their primary residence. If you plan to live in the inherited home, you can apply to have up to $1 million excluded from the tax reassessment as long as you move into the home within a year of the transfer.
Immediately after receiving an inheritance, you should notify your local Social Security office.
The good news is as long as you itemize your deductions, no matter if you decide to move into the home you inherited or keep it as a rental, you'll be able to deduct the property taxes.
If you inherit a house, changing the deed is one of the first things you'll want to do. It's an important step that ensures your name is on the deed and proves your legal entitlement to the property moving forward. Here's a step by step guide that breaks down this process.
It depends on your personal circumstances. If you want to live in the home or use it as a rental property, keeping it obviously makes sense. If you don't want to do either — or if it needs significant work that you don't want to commit to — selling it will make more sense.
Inheritance refers to property acquired through the laws of descent and distribution . Though sometimes used in reference to property acquired through a will , the legal meaning of inheritance includes only property that descends to an heir through intestacy , when a person has died intestate .
Deposit the money into a safe account
Your first action to take when receiving a lump sum is to deposit the money into an FDIC-insured bank account. This will allow for safekeeping while you consider how to make the best use of your inheritance.
The capital gains tax only applies if the sale of the inherited property yields a profit, which is calculated as the difference between the selling price and the property's value at the time of the previous owner's passing.
Annual gift tax exclusion
The gift tax limit is $18,000 in 2024 and $19,000 in 2025. Note that this annual exclusion is per gift recipient. So, you could give away the limit to several different people in a single year and still not have to file a gift tax return and possibly pay the gift tax.
Inheriting a home entails a range of financial responsibilities that can quickly add up. Property taxes, insurance premiums, ongoing maintenance costs and unexpected repairs can significantly strain beneficiaries' financial resources.
“Cash is king when it comes to leaving an inheritance,” said Carbone. “It's the simplest asset to deal with in terms of a transfer.”