skip to Main Content
RE?MAX Sound Properties 253-584-9595     Email US!

The Pending Expiration of the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act

The clock is ticking for individuals either facing foreclosure or that are underwater and desire to complete a short sale of their primary dwelling, in regards to any debt forgiveness.  What may not be a taxable event in 2012, might become imputed ordinary income in 2013 (assuming Congress does not extend some previous legislation).  If you are contemplating either completing a short sale or being foreclosed on, make certain to have these completed by year end or you will potentially owe ordinary income tax in 2013 on the same transaction.  Time is quickly expiring.

When you owe a debt to someone and the obligation to repay that debt is either canceled or forgiven, you may owe standard income tax on that amount—i.e. the forgiven debt is considered imputed ordinary income by the IRS in most circumstance.  One of several exceptions, at least from January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2012, is debt forgiven on your primary dwelling–an exclusion created by the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act (The Act).

When a debt repayment is canceled, the lender in most circumstances is required to report that amount to the borrower and the IRS—with the borrower receiving a From 1099-C (cancelation of debt).

In late 2007, Congress passed The Act, which details the following circumstances under which no income tax liabilities may be due for debt relief on your primary dwelling:

  • Debt must have been used to buy, build or improve your primary dwelling, or the debt could also be a refinance of the prior.  If the debt was a cash-out refinance not used to improve or purchase the property, it would not qualify under The Act
  • The debt must be forgiven between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2012
  • Only primary dwellings qualify—not second homes, cars, credit cards, student debt…..
  • A married couple filing jointly can qualify for up to $2 million of debt forgiveness on their primary dwelling while a single person or a married person filing separately qualifies for up to $1 million at the time the loan was forgiven
  • Even though the debt is forgiven, the tax payer must report that amount on IRS Form 982 (completing just lines 1e and 2)

An Example

A primary dwelling was purchased at the peak of the market in 2007, and a $200,000 loan taken out.  In addition, the homeowner(s) borrowed $25,000 for a new swimming pool.  The home is now worth $125,000 (and for simplicity assume the total debt outstanding is still $225,000).   If the owner(s) complete a short sale or a foreclosure takes place  in 2012 and the debt is forgiven, then they owe no tax liability on the $100,000 of debt forgiven.  If, however, the same transaction was delayed until 2013 (and assuming Congress does not extend The Act), then the owner(s) would have an imputed $100,000 of ordinary income, and assuming they were in the 20 percent tax bracket, then they owe an added $20,000 of income taxes.

If in addition to the two loans mentioned above, the homeowner(s) also had an Home Equity Line of Credit which was used to pay for a car, vacations  or credit card debt, would that also not be taxable?  No—such debt forgiveness would be taxable since it was not used to either acquire or improve the primary dwelling.

Are there other instances when debt forgiveness is not taxable?  Yes—and details for both The Act and debt forgiveness in general are available from the IRS.

Time is of the essence for struggling underwater homeowners.  Always consult expert tax counsel on your individual specifics and potential tax implications.

By Ted C Jones

This Post Has 0 Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Back To Top