What Is A Step-Up In Basis And How Can I Get One?

When setting up an inheritance, taxes can be a tricky point to consider. Luckily, a step-up in basis can help anyone who inherits an asset save big on tax costs.

Ready to learn more about this possible way to save on taxes? Here’s what you need to know.

A step-up in basis happens when an asset’s cost basis is reset to match the property’s fair market value (FMV) when an heir’s benefactor dies rather than when the asset was purchased.

For example, let’s say that your uncle leaves you a home that he originally purchased for $100,000. When you inherited the property, it appreciated in value to $250,000. You would enjoy the tax benefits of a step-up in basis from $100,000 to $250,000.

If you decide to sell the property, this step-up in basis will significantly reduce your capital gains tax. Instead of paying capital gains taxes on the difference between $100,00 and the sales price, you would pay capital gains tax on the difference between $250,000 and the sales price.

Depending on your situation, a step-up in basis may save you thousands of dollars.

To fully appreciate the benefits of a step-up in basis, it’s critical to understand capital gains tax. You pay capital gains tax on any asset worth more when sold than when you bought it.

Let’s say you bought a stock for $1, and it’s worth $5 when you sell it 2 years later. You would pay the long-term capital gains tax rate on the $4 you earned.

The length of time you hold on to an asset will affect your capital gains tax rate. When you own an asset for less than a year, you’ll be taxed at the short-term capital gains rate, which is your ordinary income tax rate.

You’ll pay the long-term capital gain rate, which can be between 0% – 20%, if you hold on to the asset for more than 1 year. The step-up in basis rule means that inherited property is always treated as a long-term capital gain opportunity.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) chooses to use the fair market value at the time of a benefactor’s death to determine the new value of the asset being transferred to help calculate the capital gains taxation of inherited properties. With this clear distinction, the IRS can more easily assess taxes on estate and gifts.

Have you heard that primary residences are exempt from capital gains tax? It’s true – up to a point. Individual taxpayers can exclude up to $250,000 of capital gains on the sale of a primary residence. Married couples filing jointly can exclude up to $500,000.

For example, let’s say that a married couple purchases a home for $150,000. Ten years later, they sell the home that served as their primary residence for $300,000. The $150,000 in capital gains would be tax-exempt.

In another situation, let’s say a family purchases a home for $100,000. After 100 years, the home has appreciated to $3,000,000. Over the years, the house has passed from family member to family member at the time of death. After inheriting the property with the significant step-up in basis, an heir could choose to sell the property to pay a minimal amount in capital gains taxes.

When you inherit a property, you may not want to sell it. In that case, you won’t pay capital gains taxes, and your future heirs will enjoy the appreciation that the property builds. If your heirs decide to sell the property, under the law in its current form, this can postpone any taxable gains for generations to come.

Whenever an heir down the line chooses to sell, the seller will only pay capital gains taxes on the appreciation in the property’s value from the date of the owner’s death. The heir won’t pay capital gains taxes on the appreciation that occurred before they inherited the property.

Tax laws can be complex and challenging to comply with and understand. If you’re in doubt, you should speak to your financial advisor about whether you should accept a gift of property or the tax consequences of selling an inherited property.

Is the step-up in basis a tax loophole?

In the eyes of some, the step-up in basis option is a tax loophole. The rule allows an individual to pass down property to their heirs without paying taxes on its appreciation along the way.

What if the property suddenly depreciates in value?

If you inherit a property that suddenly depreciates, Section 2032 of the Internal Revenue Code allows for an alternate valuation of the adjusted cost basis (ACB). Under some circumstances, you can use the fair market value 6 months after the death if you decide to hold on to the property.

What about a step-up in basis after the death of a spouse?

Depending on your state, you may be able to inherit a spouse’s assets at fair market value on the date of their death.

Non-Community Property States

In every state, but community property states, spouses are considered joint tenants with rights of survivorship (JTROS). The surviving spouse may receive a step-up in basis for half the property when their spouse dies. The other half of the increased value would be included in the deceased spouse’s estate.

Community Property States

If you live in a community property state, things work a little bit differently. When a spouse dies, a step-up in basis applies to both ownership portions of the property for the surviving spouse. If the surviving spouse decides to sell, they will save on capital gains taxes.

Capital gains taxes can be a major expense for beneficiaries. If you want to avoid capital gains taxes, inheriting an asset is preferred to receiving it as a gift.

Want to learn more about the tax implications of gifting? Check out our Learning Center.