What Taxes Do I Pay When Selling a Home on Long Island?

Taxes don’t apply to every sale—but understanding them ahead of time can prevent surprises.

Capital Gains Considerations

If you sell for a profit:

  • You may owe capital gains tax

  • But many homeowners qualify for exclusions

Primary residence exemptions can reduce or eliminate tax.

Transfer Taxes

In New York, sellers may pay:

  • State transfer tax

  • Local transfer taxes (depending on area)

These are part of closing costs.

When Taxes May Not Apply

Many sellers avoid capital gains if:

  • They lived in the home for 2 of the last 5 years

  • Profit falls within exemption limits

Why Planning Matters

Taxes can impact:

  • Net proceeds

  • Timing decisions

FAQs

Do I always pay taxes when selling a home?
Not always. Many homeowners qualify for exemptions. Learn more here: 👉 https://www.theericbermanteam.com/

What is capital gains tax on a home sale?
It applies to profit above certain limits. See how it affects you here: 👉 https://www.theericbermanteam.com/

What taxes are specific to Long Island?
Transfer taxes are common in New York transactions. Learn more here: 👉 https://www.theericbermanteam.com/

Can I avoid paying taxes when I sell?
In some cases, yes. It depends on ownership and residency. Explore your situation here: 👉 https://www.theericbermanteam.com/

Should I speak to a tax professional?
Yes, especially for complex situations. Start planning here: 👉 https://www.theericbermanteam.com/

{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "BlogPosting", "headline": "What Taxes Do I Pay When Selling a Home on Long Island?", "description": "Learn about common taxes that may come up when selling a home on Long Island, including transfer taxes and possible capital gains considerations.", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Eric Berman" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The Eric Berman Team", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.theericbermanteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/cropped-Eric-Berman-Team-Logo.png" } }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.theericbermanteam.com/blog/what-taxes-do-i-pay-when-selling-a-home-on-long-island" }, "url": "https://www.theericbermanteam.com/blog/what-taxes-do-i-pay-when-selling-a-home-on-long-island", "datePublished": "2026-04-20", "dateModified": "2026-04-20", "articleSection": "Home Selling", "keywords": [ "home sale taxes", "Long Island real estate", "capital gains tax", "transfer taxes", "selling a home taxes" ] }, { "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do I always pay taxes when selling a home?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Not always. Whether taxes apply depends on factors such as profit, ownership history, residency, and the specifics of the transaction." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is capital gains tax on a home sale?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Capital gains tax may apply when a home is sold for a profit above certain exclusion thresholds, depending on eligibility and tax rules." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What taxes are specific to Long Island?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Sellers in New York commonly encounter transfer taxes as part of the closing process, along with any broader tax considerations tied to the sale." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can I avoid paying taxes when I sell?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Some homeowners may qualify for tax exclusions or reduced tax exposure depending on residency, ownership duration, and overall circumstances." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Should I speak to a tax professional?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. A tax professional can help evaluate your specific situation and clarify whether any taxes may apply to your home sale." } } ] } ] }