Please correct my thinking on this, if I'm wrong.
Couple has been married for 30 years; bought the house they currently live in 20 years ago, and lived in it continuously for 20 years. Estimated gain on the sale of the house is $500,000.
Husband dies in October of Year X. If the widow can act quickly, and sell the house by December 31 of Year X, the gain on the sale will be a non (taxable) event. She will file as Married, Filing Jointly for Year X, and can thus exclude the entire $500,000 gain.
However, if she sells the house on January 1 of Year X+1, she will only be able to exclude $250,000 of the gain, since she will be filing as a Single person for Year X+1.
Is that basically correct? Thanks for your help.
Couple has been married for 30 years; bought the house they currently live in 20 years ago, and lived in it continuously for 20 years. Estimated gain on the sale of the house is $500,000.
Husband dies in October of Year X. If the widow can act quickly, and sell the house by December 31 of Year X, the gain on the sale will be a non (taxable) event. She will file as Married, Filing Jointly for Year X, and can thus exclude the entire $500,000 gain.
However, if she sells the house on January 1 of Year X+1, she will only be able to exclude $250,000 of the gain, since she will be filing as a Single person for Year X+1.
Is that basically correct? Thanks for your help.