From:  Cindy
Date:  Fri, 6 May 2005

My mother sold a house in California and moved to Georgia and bought another house. Does she need to pay estimated taxes for the sale of residence?

Answer

Date:  Mon, 06 June 2005

Hello Cindy,

Assuming this is a qualified sale of residence, your mother should be able to exclude $250,000 of gain from her taxable income. She will have to file a California income tax return to report the transaction if there is any taxable gain.

She can pay her 2005 estimated taxes based on her 2004 income tax returns, and pay the balance of the tax on April 15, 2006. The next installment is due June 15, 2005. See the instructions for Form 1040ES at www.irs.gov and Form 540ES at www.ftb.ca.gov.

Good luck!
Mike Gray

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