Sellers of real property are required to report to the I.R.S. Required due to the Tax Reform Act of 1986; it is intended to encourage taxpayer compliance with the Internal Revenue Code and aid in audit and enforcement efforts by the I.R.S. Sellers are required to have the dollar amount of their gross proceeds from the sale reported on a Form 1099S. When a settlement agent is used, the I.R.S. makes the settlement agent responsible for the delivery of the seller’s gross proceeds information on the Form 1099S.The settlement agent generally will be the escrow agent or title company; however, it may be an attorney, real estate broker or other person providing settlement services.
What is an I.R.S. Form 1099S; and what will be reported?
Form 1099S is used to submit the seller’s gross proceeds information and is required by law.
The information is transferred onto magnetic media by the settlement agent who will make the required report to the I.R.S. The settlement agent is also required to keep a master copy of all transactions reported for a length of four years from the date of transaction.
Information required by the I.R.S. falls into the following categories:
- The name, address and taxpayer ID number (social security or tax identification number, often called the (“TIN”) of the seller(s))
- A general description of the property (in most cases an address)
- The closing date of the transaction
- The gross proceeds of the transaction (even though gross proceeds do not correspond to taxable income)
- Any property involved as part of the transaction other than cash or cash equivalent
- The name, address and taxpayer identification number of the settlement agent
- Real estate tax paid in advance that is allocable to the buyer.
On what type of transactions is a Form 1099S required?
- sales and exchanges of 1-4 family residential properties (houses and condominiums)
- improved or unimproved land
- commercial or industrial buildings
- stock in a cooperative housing corporation
- mobile homes (manufactured homes) affixed to real property.
Excluded from reporting:
- Foreclosures
- Abandonment of real property
- Financing or refinancing of properties,
- the sale or exchange of a principal residence with gross proceeds of $250,000 or less ($500,000 or less for married filing jointly) if an acceptable written assurance (certification)
What happens if the seller(s) refuses to provide the taxpayer identification number for the Form 1099S?
The settlement agent is required to request the transferor’s taxpayer identification number(s) (TIN(s)) before the time of closing. You may request a TIN on Form W-9 or use an alternative written request. The IRS has included sample wording of an alternative written request in the instructions for preparation of Form 1099S.
Should the seller fail to provide the identification number and certify its correctness, the settlement agent may choose to:
- Delay the closing of the transactions until the information is furnished, or
- Complete the transaction and report to the I.R.S. that an attempt was made to obtain the information from the seller.
How is the sale reported when there is more than one seller involved or when multiple sellers do not own equal interests in the property?
Multiple sellers may allocate the gross proceeds among themselves for purposes of reporting. If there is no allocation, an incomplete allocation or conflicting allocations, then the entire gross proceeds will be reported for each seller.
Where can I go for further information on taxation of real property?
The I.R.S. provides free publications that explain the tax aspects of real estate transactions. You may wish to order:
- Publication #523: Selling Your Home
- Publication #530: Tax Information for First-Time Homeowners
- Publication #544: Sales and Other Dispositions of Assets
- Publication #551: Basis of Assets
To place your order, phone toll-free1-800-829-3676
Source: www.clta.org
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