The Tax Professionals Blog — estate
Home Title Change: A Completed Gift?
Posted by Lee Reams Sr. on
Background: A frequently encountered issue is when an elderly parent turns the title of his or her home over to a child or other beneficiary and continues to reside in the home. This situation raises important questions: How is a future sale of the home treated if it is sold before the parent’s death (will Sec 121 apply?), and is a gift tax return required? Or if the parent passes away while still residing in the home, does the beneficiary use a gift basis or the FMV on the date of death? What is the tax result if the parent moves out of the home?