This Major Change in Capital Gains Rules Could Make a Huge Difference For Investors

BiggerPockets Blog
Published: January 30, 2026
Regulations & Compliance

Summary

This article discusses potential changes to capital gains tax laws in the United States, specifically the possible elimination or adjustment of capital gains taxes on the sale of single-family homes. Hosts who own their primary residence and might sell it in the future should pay attention to these developments, as it could significantly impact their financial outcomes when selling or investing in rentals.

Key Insights

  • Current federal law allows homeowners to be forgiven capital gains taxes on $250,000 in profit from the sale of a single-family home if they file separately, and $500,000 if they are married and file their taxes jointly, so long as they have lived in the property for two of the previous five years.
  • Homeowners in March 2025 had $34.7 trillion in home equity, potentially facing capital gains taxes upon selling.

Action Items

  • Monitor legislative changes regarding capital gains tax on home sales to understand potential financial impacts on future property sales or investment decisions.
    Effort: low
    Impact: medium
  • Consider the implications of potential tax law changes on your investment strategy, including downsizing to invest in rental properties.
    Effort: low
    Impact: medium

Common Mistakes

  • Failing to understand potential tax implications when selling a primary residence could lead to unexpected tax liabilities.

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