[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 26, Volume 11]
[Revised as of April 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 26CFR1.1034-1]

[Page 129-138]
 
                       TITLE 26--INTERNAL REVENUE
 
    CHAPTER I--INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY 
                               (CONTINUED)
 
PART 1_INCOME TAXES--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 1.1034-1  Sale or exchange of residence.

    (a) Nonrecognition of gain; general statement. Section 1034 provides 
rules for the nonrecognition of gain in certain cases where a taxpayer 
sells one residence after December 31, 1953, and buys or builds, and 
uses as his principal residence, another residence within specified time 
limits before or after such sale. In general, if the taxpayer invests in 
a new residence an amount at least as large as the adjusted sales price 
of his old residence, no gain is recognized on the sale of the old 
residence (see paragraph (b) of this section for definitions of adjusted 
sales price, new residence, and old residence). On the other hand, if 
the new residence costs the taxpayer less than the adjusted sales price 
of the old residence, gain is recognized to the extent of the 
difference. Thus, if an amount equal to or greater than the adjusted 
sales price of an old residence is invested in a new residence, 
according to the rules stated in section 1034, none of the gain (if any) 
realized from the sale shall be recognized. If an amount less than such 
adjusted sales price is so invested, gain shall be recognized, but only 
to the extent provided in section 1034. If there is no investment in a 
new residence, section 1034 is inapplicable and all of the gain shall be 
recognized. Whenever, as a result of the application of section 1034, 
any or all of the gain realized on the sale of an old residence is not 
recognized, a corresponding reduction must be made in the basis of the 
new residence. The provisions of section 1034 are mandatory, so that the 
taxpayer cannot elect to have gain recognized under circumstances where 
this section is applicable. Section 1034 applies only to gains; losses 
are recognized or not recognized without regard to the provisions of 
this section. Section 1034 affects only the amount of gain recognized, 
and not the amount of gain realized (see also section 1001 and the 
regulations issued thereunder). Any gain realized upon disposition of 
other property in exchange for the new residence is not affected by 
section 1034. For special rules relating to the sale or exchange of a 
principal residence by a taxpayer who has attained age 65, see section 
121 and paragraph (g) of Sec. 1.121-5. For special rules relating to a 
case where real property with respect to the sale of which gain is not 
recognized under this section is reacquired by the seller in partial or 
full satisfaction of the indebtedness arising from such sale and resold 
by him within 1 year after the date of such reacquisition, see Sec. 
1.1038-2.

[[Page 130]]

    (b) Definitions. The following definitions of frequently used terms 
are applicable for purposes of section 1034 (other definitions and 
detailed explanations appear in subsequent paragraphs of this 
regulation):
    (1) Old residence means property used by the taxpayer as his 
principal residence which is the subject of a sale by him after December 
31, 1953 (section 1034(a); for detailed explanation see paragraph (c)(3) 
of this section).
    (2) New residence means property used by the taxpayer as his 
principal residence which is the subject of a purchase by him (section 
1034(a); for detailed explanation and limitations see paragraphs (c)(3) 
and (d)(1) of this section).
    (3) Adjusted sales price means the amount realized reduced by the 
fixing-up expenses (section 1034(b)(1); for special rule applicable in 
some cases to husband and wife, see paragraph (f) of this section).
    (4) Amount realized is to be computed by subtracting,
    (i) The amount of the items which, in determining the gain from the 
sale of the old residence, are properly an offset against the 
consideration received upon the sale (such as commissions and expenses 
of advertising the property for sale, of preparing the deed, and of 
other legal services in connection with the sale); from
    (ii) The amount of the consideration so received, determined (in 
accordance with section 1001(b) and regulations issued thereunder) by 
adding to the sum of any money so received, the fair market value of the 
property (other than money) so received. If, as part of the 
consideration for the sale, the purchaser either assumes a liability of 
the taxpayer or acquires the old residence subject to a liability 
(whether or not the taxpayer is personally liable on the debt), such 
assumption or acquisition, in the amount of the liability, shall be 
treated as money received by the taxpayer in computing the amount 
realized.
    (5) Gain realized is the excess (if any) of the amount realized over 
the adjusted basis of the old residence (see also section 1001(a) and 
regulations issued thereunder).
    (6) Fixing-up expenses means the aggregate of the expenses for work 
performed (in any taxable year, whether beginning before, on, or after 
January 1, 1954) on the old residence in order to assist in its sale, 
provided that such expenses (i) are incurred for work performed during 
the 90-day period ending on the day on which the contract to sell the 
old residence is entered into; and (ii) are paid on or before the 30th 
day after the date of the sale of the old residence; and (iii) are 
neither (a) allowable as deductions in computing taxable income under 
section 63(a), nor (b) taken into account in computing the amount 
realized from the sale of the old residence (section 1034(b) (2) and 
(3)). Fixing-up expenses does not include expenditures which are 
properly chargeable to capital account and which would, therefore, 
constitute adjustments to the basis of the old residence (see section 
1016 and regulations issued thereunder).
    (7) Cost of purchasing the new residence means the total of all 
amounts which are attributable to the acquisition, construction, 
reconstruction, and improvements constituting capital expenditures, made 
during the period beginning 18 months (one year in the case of a sale of 
an old residence prior to January 1, 1975) before the date of sale of 
the old residence and ending either (i) 18 months (one year in the case 
of a sale of an old residence prior to January 1, 1975) after such date 
in the case of a new residence purchased but not constructed by the 
taxpayer, or (ii) two years (18 months in the case of a sale of an old 
residence prior to January 1, 1975) after such date in the case of a new 
residence the construction of which was commenced by the taxpayer before 
the expiration of 18 months (one year in the case of a sale of an old 
residence prior to January 1, 1975) after such date (section 1034(a), 
(c)(2) and (c)(5); for detailed explanation, see paragraph (c)(4) of 
this section; for special rule applicable in some cases to husband and 
wife, see paragraph (f) of this section; see also paragraph (b)(9) of 
this section for definition of purchase).
    (8) Sale (of a residence) means a sale or an exchange (of a 
residence) for other property which occurs after December 31, 1953, an 
involuntary conversion (of a residence) which occurs after December 31, 
1950, and before January

[[Page 131]]

1, 1954, or certain involuntary conversions where the disposition of the 
property occurs after December 31, 1957, in respect of which a proper 
election is made under section 1034(i)(2) (see sections 1034(c)(1), 
1034(i)(1)(A), and 1034(i)(2); for detailed explanation concerning 
involuntary conversions, see paragraph (h) of this section).
    (9) Purchase (of a residence) means a purchase or an acquisition (of 
a residence) on the exchange of property or the partial or total 
construction or reconstruction (of a residence) by the taxpayer (section 
1034(c) (1) and (2)). However, the mere improvement of a residence, not 
amounting to reconstruction, does not constitute purchase of a 
residence.
    (c) Rules for application of section 1034--(1) General rule; 
limitations on applicability. Gain realized from the sale (after 
December 31, 1953) of an old residence will be recognized only to the 
extent that the taxpayer's adjusted sales price of the old residence 
exceeds the taxpayer's cost of purchasing the new residence, provided 
that the taxpayer either (i) within a period beginning 18 months (one 
year in the case of a sale of an old residence prior to January 1, 1975) 
before the date of such sale and ending 18 months (one year in the case 
of a sale of an old residence prior to January 1, 1975) after such date 
purchases property and uses it as his principal residence, or (ii) 
within a period beginning 18 months (one year in the case of a sale of 
an old residence prior to January 1, 1975) before the date of such sale 
and ending two years (18 months in the case of a sale of an old 
residence prior to January 1, 1975) after such date uses as his 
principal residence a new residence the construction of which was 
commenced by him at any time before the expiration of 18 months (one 
year in the case of a sale of an old residence prior to January 1, 1975) 
after the date of the sale of the old residence (section 1034 (a) and 
(c)(5); for detailed explanation of use as principal residence see 
subparagraph (3) of this paragraph). The rule stated in the preceding 
sentence applies to a new residence purchased by the taxpayer before the 
date of sale of the old residence provided the new residence is still 
owned by him on such date (section 1034(c)(3)). Whether the construction 
of a new residence was commenced by the taxpayer before the expiration 
of 18 months (one year in the case of a sale of an old residence prior 
to January 1, 1975) after the date of the sale of the old residence will 
depend upon the facts and circumstances of each case. Section 1034 is 
not applicable to the sale of a residence if within the previous 18 
months (previous year in the case of a sale of an old residence prior to 
January 1, 1975) the taxpayer made another sale of residential property 
on which gain was realized but not recognized (section 1034(d)). For 
further details concerning limitations on the application of section 
1034, see paragraph (d) of this section.
    (2) Computation and examples. In applying the general rule stated in 
subparagraph (1) of this paragraph, the taxpayer should first subtract 
the commissions and other selling expenses from the selling price of his 
old residence, to determine the amount realized. A comparison of the 
amount realized with the cost or other basis of the old residence will 
then indicate whether there is any gain realized on the sale. Unless the 
amount realized is greater than the cost or other basis, no gain is 
realized and section 1034 does not apply. If the amount realized exceeds 
the cost or other basis, the amount of such excess constitutes the gain 
realized. The amount realized should then be reduced by the fixing-up 
expenses (if any), to determined the adjusted sales price. A comparison 
of the adjusted sales price of the old residence with the cost of 
purchasing the new residence will indicate how much (if any) of the 
realized gain is to be recognized. If the cost of purchasing the new 
residence is the same as, or greater than, the adjusted sales price of 
the old residence, then none of the realized gain is to be recognized. 
On the other hand, if the cost of purchasing the new residence is 
smaller than the adjusted sales price of the old residence, the gain 
realized, all of the gain realized is to be recognized to the extent of 
the difference. It should be noted that any amount of gain realized but 
not recognized is to be applied as a downward adjustment to the basis of 
the new residence (for details see paragraph (e) of this section).) The 
application of the

[[Page 132]]

general rule stated above may be illustrated by the following examples:

    Example 1. A taxpayer decides to sell his residence, which has a 
basis of $17,500. To make it more attractive to buyers, he paints the 
outside at a cost of $300 in April, 1954. He pays for the painting when 
the work is finished. In May, 1954, he sells the house for $20,000. 
Brokers' commissions and other selling expenses are $1,000. In October, 
1954, the taxpayer buys a new residence for $18,000. The amount 
realized, the gain realized, the adjusted sales price, and the gain to 
be recognized are computed as follows:

Selling price.................................................   $20,000
Less: Commissions and other selling expenses..................     1,000
                                                               ---------
Amount realized...............................................    19,000
Less: Basis...................................................    17,500
                                                               ---------
Gain realized.................................................     1,500
                                                               =========
Amount realized...............................................    19,000
Less: Fixing-up expenses......................................       300
                                                               ---------
Adjusted sales price..........................................    18,700
Cost of purchasing new residence..............................    18,000
                                                               ---------
Gain recognized...............................................       700
Gain realized but not recognized..............................       800
Adjusted basis of new residence (see paragraph (e) of this        17,200
 section).....................................................


    Example 2. The facts are the same as in example (1), except that the 
selling price of the old residence is $18,500. The computations are as 
follows:

Selling price.................................................   $18,500
Less: Commissions and other selling expenses..................     1,000
                                                               ---------
Amount realized...............................................    17,500
Less: Basis...................................................    17,500
                                                               ---------
Gain realized.................................................         0


    Note: Since no gain is realized, section 1034 is inapplicable; it 
is, therefore, unnecessary to compute the adjusted sales price of the 
old residence and compare it with the cost of purchasing the new 
residence. No adjustment to the basis of the new residence is to be 
made.
    Example 3. The facts are the same as in example (1), except that the 
cost of purchasing the new residence is $17,000. The computations are as 
follows:

Selling price.................................................   $20,000
Less: Commissions and other selling expenses..................     1,000
                                                               ---------
Amount realized...............................................    19,000
Less: Basis...................................................    17,500
                                                               ---------
Gain realized.................................................     1,500
                                                               =========
Amount realized...............................................    19,000
Less: Fixing-up expenses......................................       300
                                                               ---------
Adjusted sales price..........................................    18,700
Cost of purchasing the new residence..........................    17,000
                                                               ---------
Gain recognized...............................................     1,500


    Note: Since the adjusted sales price of the old residence exceeds 
the cost of purchasing the new residence by $1,700, which is more than 
the gain realized, all of the gain realized is recognized. No adjustment 
to the basis of the new residence is to be made.

Gain realized but not recognized.................................     $0


    Example 4. The facts are the same as in example (1), except that the 
fixing-up expenses are $1,100. The computations are as follows:

Selling price.................................................   $20,000
Less: Commissions and other selling expenses..................     1,000
                                                               ---------
Amount realized...............................................    19,000
Less: Basis...................................................    17,500
                                                               ---------
Gain realized.................................................     1,500
                                                               =========
Amount realized...............................................    19,000
Less: Fixing-up expenses......................................     1,100
                                                               ---------
Adjusted sales price..........................................    17,900
Cost of purchasing the new residence..........................    18,000
                                                               ---------
Gain recognized...............................................         0


    Note: Since the cost of purchasing the new residence exceeds the 
adjusted sales price, none of the gain realized is recognized.

Gain realized but not recognized....................              $1,500
                                                     -------------------
Adjusted basis of new residence (see paragraph (e)                16,500
 of this section)...................................


    (3) Property used by the taxpayer as his principal residence. (i) 
Whether or not property is used by the taxpayer as his residence, and 
whether or not property is used by the taxpayer as his principal 
residence (in the case of a taxpayer using more than one property as a 
residence), depends upon all the facts and circumstances in each case, 
including the good faith of the taxpayer. The mere fact that property 
is, or has been, rented is not determinative that such property is not 
used by the taxpayer as his principal residence. For example, if the 
taxpayer purchases his new residence before he sells his old residence, 
the fact that he temporarily rents out the new residence during the 
period before he vacates the old residence may not, in the light of all 
the facts and circumstances in the case, prevent the new residence from 
being considered as property used by the taxpayer as his principal 
residence. Property used by the taxpayer as his principal residence may 
include a houseboat, a house trailer, or stock held by a tenant-
stockholder in a cooperative housing corporation (as those terms are 
defined in section 216(b) (1) and (2)), if the dwelling which the 
taxpayer is entitled to

[[Page 133]]

occupy as such stockholder is used by him as his principal residence 
(section 1034(f)). Property used by the taxpayer as his principal 
residence does not include personal property such as a piece of 
furniture, a radio, etc., which, in accordance with the applicable local 
law, is not a fixture.
    (ii) Where part of a property is used by the taxpayer as his 
principal residence and part is used for other purposes, an allocation 
must be made to determine the application of this section. If the old 
residence is used only partially for residential purposes, only that 
part of the gain allocable to the residential portion is not to be 
recognized under this section and only an amount allocable to the 
selling price of such portion need be invested in the new residence in 
order to have the gain allocable to such portion not recognized under 
this section. If the new residence is used only partially for 
residential purposes only so much of its cost as is allocable to the 
residential portion may be counted as the cost of purchasing the new 
residence.
    (4) Cost of purchasing new residence. (i) The taxpayer's cost of 
purchasing the new residence includes not only cash but also any 
indebtedness to which the property purchased is subject at the time of 
purchase whether or not assumed by the taxpayer (including purchase-
money mortgages, etc.) and the face amount of any liabilities of the 
taxpayer which are part of the consideration for the purchase. 
Commissions and other purchasing expenses paid or incurred by the 
taxpayer on the purchase of the new residence are to be included in 
determining such cost. In the case of an acquisition of a residence upon 
an exchange which is considered as a purchase under this section, the 
fair market value of the new residence on the date of the exchange shall 
be considered as the taxpayer's cost of purchasing the new residence. 
Where any part of the new residence is acquired by the taxpayer other 
than by purchase, the value of such part is not to be included in 
determining the taxpayer's cost of the new residence (see paragraph 
(b)(9) of this section for definition of purchase). For example, if the 
taxpayer acquires a residence by gift or inheritance, and spends $20,000 
in reconstructing such residence, only such $20,000 may be treated as 
his cost of purchasing the new residence.
    (ii) The taxpayer's cost of purchasing the new residence includes 
only so much of such cost as is attributable to acquisition, 
construction, reconstruction, or improvements made within the period of 
three years or 42 months (two years or 30 months in the case of a sale 
of an old residence prior to January 1, 1975), as the case may be, in 
which the purchase and use of the new residence must be made in order to 
have gain on the sale of the old residence not recognized under this 
section. Thus, if the construction of the new residence is begun three 
years before the date of sale of the old residence and completed on the 
date of sale of the old residence, only that portion of the cost which 
is attributable to the last 18 months (last year in the case of a sale 
of an old residence prior to January 1, 1975) of such construction 
constitutes the taxpayer's cost of purchasing the new residence, for 
purposes of section 1034. Furthermore, the taxpayer's cost of purchasing 
the new residence includes only such amounts as are properly chargeable 
to capital account rather than to current expense. As to what 
constitutes capital expenditures, see section 263.
    (iii) The provisions of this subparagraph may be illustrated by the 
following example:

    Example: M began the construction of a new residence on January 15, 
1974, and completed it on October 14, 1974. The cost of $45,000 was 
incurred ratably over the 9-month period of construction. On December 
14, 1975, M sold his old residence and realized a gain. In determining 
the extent to which the realized gain is not to be recognized under 
section 1034, M's cost of constructing the new residence shall include 
only the $20,000 which was attributable to the June 15--October 14, 
1974, period (4 months at $5,000). The $25,000 balance of the cost of 
constructing the new residence was not attributable to the period 
beginning 18 months before the date of the sale of the old residence and 
ending two years after such date and, under section 1034, is not 
properly a part of M's cost of constructing the new residence.

    (d) Limitations on application of section 1034. (1) If a residence 
is purchased by the taxpayer prior to the date of the sale of the old 
residence, the purchased residence shall, in no event, be treated

[[Page 134]]

as a new residence if such purchased residence is sold or otherwise 
disposed of by him prior to the date of the sale of the old residence 
(section 1034(c)(3)). And, if the taxpayer, during the period within 
which the purchase and use of the new residence must be made in order to 
have any gain on the sale of the old residence not recognized under this 
section, purchases more than one property which is used by him as his 
principal residence during the 18 months (or two years in the case of 
the construction of the new residence) succeeding the date of the sale 
of the old residence, only the last of such properties shall be 
considered a new residence (section 1034(c)(4)). In the case of a sale 
of an old residence prior to January 1, 1975, the period of 18 months 
(or two years) referred to in the preceding sentence shall be one year 
(or 18 months). If within 18 months (one year in the case of a sale of 
an old residence prior to January 1, 1975) before the date of the sale 
of the old residence, the taxpayer sold other property used by him as 
his principal residence at a gain, and any part of such gain was not 
recognized under this section or section 112(n) of the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1939, this section shall not apply with respect to the sale of 
the old residence (section 1034(d)).
    (2) The following example will illustrate the rules of subparagraph 
(1) of this paragraph:

    Example: A taxpayer sells his old residence on January 15, 1954, and 
purchases another residence on February 15, 1954. On March 15, 1954, he 
sells the residence which he bought on February 15, 1954, and purchases 
another residence on April 15, 1954. The gain on the sale of the old 
residence on January 15, 1954, will not be recognized except to the 
extent to which the taxpayer's adjusted sales price of the old residence 
exceeds the cost of purchasing the residence which he purchased on April 
15, 1954. Gain on the sale of the residence which was bought on February 
15, 1954, and sold on March 15, 1954, will be recognized.

    (e) Basis of new residence. (1) Where the purchase of a new 
residence results, under this section, in the nonrecognition of any part 
of the gain realized upon the sale of an old residence, then, in 
determining the adjusted basis of the new residence as of any time 
following the sale of the old residence, the adjustments to basis shall 
include a reduction by an amount equal to the amount of the gain which 
was not recognized upon the sale of the old residence (section 1034(e); 
for special rule applicable in some cases to husband and wife, see 
paragraph (f) of this section). Such a reduction is not to be made for 
the purpose of determining the adjusted basis of the new residence as of 
any time preceding the sale of the old residence. For the purpose of 
this determination, the amount of the gain not recognized under this 
section upon the sale of the old residence includes only so much of the 
gain as is not recognized because of the taxpayer's cost, up to the date 
of the determination of the adjusted basis, of purchasing the new 
residence.
    (2) The following example will illustrate the rule of subparagraph 
(1) of this paragraph:

    Example: On January 1, 1954, the taxpayer buys a new residence for 
$10,000. On March 1, 1954, he sells for an adjusted sales price of 
$15,000 his old residence, which has an adjusted basis to him of $5,000 
(no fixing-up expenses are involved, so that $15,000 is the amount 
realized as well as the adjusted sales price). Between April 1 and April 
15 a wing is constructed on the new house at a cost of $5,000. Between 
May 1 and May 15 a garage is constructed at a cost of $2,000. The 
adjusted basis of the new residence is $10,000 during January and 
February, $5,000 during March, $5,000 following the completion of the 
construction in April, and $7,000 following the completion of the 
construction in May. Since the old residence was not sold until March 1, 
no adjustment to the basis of the new residence is made during January 
and February. Computations for March, April, and May are as follows:

Amount realized on sale of old residence............             $15,000
Less: Adjusted basis of old residence...............               5,000
                                                     -------------------
Gain realized on sale of old residence..............              10,000
                    March 1, 1954
Adjusted sales price of old residence...............              15,000
Less: Cost of purchasing new residence..............              10,000
                                                     -------------------
Gain recognized.....................................               5,000
                                                     -------------------
Gain realized but not recognized....................               5,000
                                                     ===================
Cost of purchasing new residence....................              10,000
Less: Gain realized but not recognized..............               5,000
                                                     -------------------
Adjusted basis of new residence.....................               5,000
                   April 15, 1954
Gain realized on sale of old residence..............              10,000
Adjusted sales price of old residence...............              15,000

[[Page 135]]


Less: Cost of purchasing new residence..............              15,000
                                                     -------------------
Gain recognized.....................................                   0
                                                     -------------------
Gain realized but not recognized....................              10,000
                                                     ===================
Cost of purchasing new residence....................              15,000
Less: Gain realized but not recognized..............              10,000
                                                     -------------------
Adjusted basis of new residence.....................               5,000
                                                     ===================
                    May 15, 1954
Gain realized on sale of old residence..............              10,000
Adjusted sales price of old residence...............              15,000
Less: Cost of purchasing new residence..............              17,000
                                                     -------------------
Gain recognized.....................................                   0
                                                     -------------------
Gain realized but not recognized....................              10,000
                                                     ===================
Cost of purchasing new residence....................              17,000
Less: Gain realized but not recognized..............              10,000
                                                     -------------------
Adjusted basis of new residence.....................               7,000


    (f) Husband and wife. (1) If the taxpayer and his spouse file the 
consent referred to in this paragraph, then the taxpayer's adjusted 
sales price of the old residence shall mean the taxpayer's, or the 
taxpayer's and his spouse's, adjusted sales price of the old residence, 
and the taxpayer's cost of purchasing the new residence shall mean the 
cost to the taxpayer, or to his spouse, or to both of them, of 
purchasing the new residence, whether such new residence is held by the 
taxpayer, or his spouse, or both (section 1034(g)). Such consent may be 
filed only if the old residence and the new residence are each used by 
the taxpayer and his same spouse as their principal residence. If the 
taxpayer and his spouse do not file such a consent, the recognition of 
gain upon sale of the old residence shall be determined under this 
section without regard to the foregoing.
    (2) The consent referred to in subparagraph (1) of this paragraph is 
a consent by the taxpayer and his spouse to have the basis of the 
interest of either of them in the new residence reduced from what it 
would have been but for the filing of such consent by an amount by which 
the gain of either of them on the sale of his interest in the old 
residence is not recognized solely by reason of the filing of such 
consent. Such reduction in basis is applicable to the basis of the new 
residence, whether such basis is that of the husband, of the wife, or 
divided between them. If the basis is divided between the husband and 
wife, the reduction in basis shall be divided between them in the same 
proportion as the basis (determined without regard to such reduction) is 
divided. Such consent shall be filed with the district director with 
whom the taxpayer filed the return for the taxable year or years in 
which the gain from the sale of the old residence was realized.
    (3) The following examples will illustrate the application of this 
rule:

    Example 1. A taxpayer, in 1954, sells for an adjusted sales price of 
$10,000 the principal residence of himself and his wife, which he owns 
individually and which has an adjusted basis to him of $5,000 (no 
fixing-up expenses are involved, so that $10,000 is the amount realized 
as well as the adjusted sales price). Within a year after such sale he 
and his wife contribute $5,000 each from their separate funds for the 
purchase of their new principal residence which they hold as tenants in 
common, each owning an undivided one-half interest therein. If the 
taxpayer and his wife file the required consent, the gain of $5,000 upon 
the sale of the old residence will not be recognized to the taxpayer, 
and the adjusted basis of the taxpayer's interest in the new residence 
will be $2,500 and the adjusted basis of his wife's interest in such 
property will be $2,500.
    Example 2. A taxpayer and his wife, in 1954, sell for an adjusted 
sales price of $10,000 their principal residence, which they own as 
joint tenants and which has an adjusted basis of $2,500 to each of them 
($5,000 together) (no fixing-up expenses are involved, so that $10,000 
is the amount realized as well as the adjusted sales price). Within a 
year after such sale, the wife spends $10,000 of her own funds in the 
purchase of a principal residence for herself and the taxpayer and takes 
title in her name only. If the taxpayer and his wife file the required 
consent, the adjusted basis to the wife of the new residence will be 
$5,000, and the gain of the taxpayer will be $2,500 upon the sale of the 
old residence will not be recognized. The wife, as a taxpayer herself, 
will have her gain of $2,500 on the sale of the old residence not 
recognized under the general rule.

    (g) Members of Armed Forces. (1) Section 1034(h) provides a special 
rule for members of the Armed Forces with respect to the period after 
the sale of the old residence within which the acquisition of a new 
residence may result in a non-recognition of gain on such sale. The 
running of the period of 18 months (one year in the case of a sale of an 
old residence prior to January 1, 1975) after the sale of the old 
residence in the case

[[Page 136]]

of the purchase of a new residence, or the period of two years (18 
months in the case of a sale of an old residence prior to January 12, 
1975) after such sale in the case of the construction of a new 
residence, is suspended during any time that the taxpayer serves on 
extended active duty with the Armed Forces of the United States. (This 
paragraph applies to time served on extended active duty prior to July 
1, 1973, only if such extended active duty occurred during an induction 
period as defined in section 112(c)(5) as in effect prior to July 1, 
1973.) However, in no event may such suspension extend for more than 
four years after the date of the sale of the old residence the period 
within which the purchase or construction of a new residence may result 
in a nonrecognition of gain. For example, if the taxpayer is on extended 
active duty with the Army from January 1, 1975, to June 30, 1976, and if 
he sold his old residence on January 10, 1975, the latest date on which 
the taxpayer may use a new residence constructed by him and have any 
part of the gain on the sale of his old residence not recognized under 
this section is June 30, 1978 (the date two years following the 
taxpayer's termination of active duty). However, if this taxpayer were 
on extended active duty with the Army from January 1, 1975, to December 
31, 1978, the latest date on which he might use a new residence 
constructed by him and have any part of the gain on the sale of his old 
residence not recognized under this section would be January 10, 1979 
(the date four years following the date of the sale of the old 
residence).
    (2) This suspension covers not only the Armed Forces service of the 
taxpayer but if the taxpayer and his same spouse used both the old and 
the new residences as their principal residence, then the extension 
applies in like manner to the time the taxpayer's spouse is on extended 
active duty with the Armed Forces of the United States.
    (3) The time during which the running of the period is suspended is 
part of such period. Thus, construction costs during such time are 
includible in the cost of purchasing the new residence under paragraph 
(c)(4) of this section.
    (4) The running of the period of 18 months (or two years) after the 
date of sale of the old residence referred to in section 1034(c)(4) and 
in paragraph (d) of this section is not suspended. The running of the 
18-month period prior to the date of the sale of the old residence 
within which the new residence may be purchased in order to have gain on 
the sale of the old residence not recognized under this section is also 
not suspended. In the case of a sale of an old residence prior to 
January 1, 1975, the periods of 18 months (or two years) referred to in 
each of the two preceding sentences shall be one year (or 18 months).
    (5) The term extended active duty means any period of active duty 
which is served pursuant to a call or order to such duty for a period in 
excess of 90 days or for an indefinite period. If the call or order is 
for a period of more than 90 days, it is immaterial that the time served 
pursuant to such call or order is less than 90 days, if the reason for 
such shorter period of service occurs after the beginning of such duty. 
As to what constitutes active service as a member of the Armed Forces of 
the United States, see paragraph (i) of Sec. 1.112-1. As to who are 
members of the Armed Forces of the United States, see section 
7701(a)(15), and the regulations in part 301 of this chapter 
(Regulations on Procedure and Administration).
    (h) Special rules for involuntary conversions--(1) In general. 
Except as provided in subparagraph (2) of this paragraph, section 1034 
is inapplicable to involuntary conversions of personal residences 
occurring after December 31, 1953 (section 1034(i)(1)(B)). For purposes 
of section 1034, an involuntary conversion of a personal residence 
occurring after December 31, 1950, and before January 1, 1954, is 
treated as a sale of such residence (section 1034(i)(1)(A); see 
paragraph (b)(8) of this section). For purposes of this paragraph, an 
involuntary conversion is defined, as the destruction in whole or in 
part, theft, seizure, requisition, or condemnation of property, or the 
sale or exchange of property under threat or imminence thereof. See 
section 1033 and Sec. 1.1033(a)-3 for treatment of residences 
involuntarily converted after December 31, 1953.

[[Page 137]]

    (2) Election to treat condemnation of personal residence as sale. 
(i) Section 1034(i)(2) provides a special rule which permits a taxpayer 
to elect to treat the seizure, requisition, or condemnation of his 
principal residence, or the sale or exchange of such residence under 
threat or imminence thereof, if occurring after December 31, 1957, as 
the sale of such residence for purposes of section 1034 (relating to 
sale or exchange of residence). A taxpayer may thus elect to have 
section 1034 apply, rather than section 1033 (relating to involuntary 
conversions), in determining the amount of gain realized on the 
disposition of his old residence that will not be recognized and the 
extent to which the basis of his new residence acquired in lieu thereof 
shall be reduced. Once made, the election shall be irrevocable.
    (ii) If the taxpayer elects to be governed by the provisions of 
section 1034, section 1033 will have no application. Thus, a taxpayer 
who elects under section 1034(i)(2) to treat the seizure, requisition, 
or condemnation of his principal residence (but not the destruction), or 
the sale or exchange of such residence under threat or imminence 
thereof, as a sale for the purpose of section 1034 must satisfy the 
requirements of section 1034 and this section. For example, under 
section 1034 a taxpayer generally must replace his old residence with a 
new residence which he uses as his principal residence, within a period 
beginning 18 months (one year in the case of a sale of an old residence 
prior to January 1, 1975) before the date of disposition of his old 
residence, and ending 18 months (one year in the case of a sale of an 
old residence prior to January 1, 1975) after such date. However, in the 
case of a new residence the construction of which was commenced by the 
taxpayer within such period, the replacement period shall not expire 
until 2 years (18 months in the case of a sale of an old residence prior 
to January 1, 1975) after the date of disposition of the old residence.
    (iii) Time and manner of making election. The election under section 
1034(i)(2) shall be made in a statement attached to the taxpayer's 
income tax return, when filed, for the taxable year during which the 
disposition of his old residence occurs. The statement shall indicate 
that the taxpayer elects under section 1034(i)(2) to treat the 
disposition of his old residence as a sale for purposes of section 1034, 
and shall also show--
    (a) The basis of the old residence;
    (b) The date of its disposition;
    (c) The adjusted sales price of the old residence, if known; and
    (d) The purchase price, date of purchase, and date of occupancy of 
the new residence if it has been acquired prior to the time of making 
the election.
    (i) Statute of limitations. (1) Whenever a taxpayer sells property 
used as his principal residence at a gain, the statutory period 
prescribed in section 6501(a) for the assessment of a deficiency 
attributable to any part of such gain shall not expire prior to the 
expiration of three years from the date of receipt, by the district 
director with whom the return was filed for the taxable year or years in 
which the gain from the sale of the old residence was realized (section 
1034(j)), of a written notice from the taxpayer of--
    (i) The taxpayer's cost of purchasing the new residence which the 
taxpayer claims result in nonrecognition of any part of such gain.
    (ii) The taxpayer's intention not to purchase a new residence within 
the period when such a purchase will result in nonrecognition of any 
part of such gain, or
    (iii) The taxpayer's failure to make such a purchase within such 
period.

Any gain from the sale of the old residence which is required to be 
recognized shall be included in gross income for the taxable year or 
years in which such gain was realized. Any deficiency attributable to 
any portion of such gain may be assessed before the expiration of the 3-
year period described in this paragraph, notwithstanding the provisions 
of any law or rule of law which might otherwise bar such assessment.
    (2) The notification required by the preceding subparagraph shall 
contain all pertinent details in connection with the sale of the old 
residence and, where applicable, the purchase price of the new 
residence. The notification shall be in the form of a written statement

[[Page 138]]

and shall be accompanied, where appropriate, by an amended return for 
the year in which the gain from the sale of the old residence was 
realized, in order to reflect the inclusion in gross income for that 
year of gain required to be recognized in connection with such sale.
    (j) Effective date. Pursuant to section 7851(a)(1)(C), paragraphs 
(a), (b), (c), (d), (f), (g), and (i) of this section apply in the case 
of any sale (as defined in paragraph (b)(8) of this section) made after 
December 31, 1953, although such sale may occur in a taxable year 
subject to the Internal Revenue Code of 1939. Similarly, the rule in 
paragraph (h) of this section that involuntary conversions of personal 
residences are not to be treated as sales for purposes of section 1034 
but are governed by section 1033 applies to any such involuntary 
conversion made after December 31, 1953, although such involuntary 
conversion may occur in a taxable year subject to the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1939. The rule in paragraph (e) of this section requiring an 
adjustment to the basis of a new residence, the purchase of which 
results (under section 1034, or section 112(n) of the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1939) in the nonrecognition of gain on the sale of an old 
residence, applies in determining the adjusted basis of the new 
residence at any time following such sale, although such sale may occur 
in a taxable year subject to the Internal Revenue Code of 1939.

[T.D. 6500, 25 FR 11910, Nov. 26, 1960, as amended by T.D. 6916, 32 FR 
5924, Apr. 13, 1967; 32 FR 6971, May 6, 1967; T.D. 7404, 41 FR 6758, 
Feb. 13, 1976; T.D. 7625, 44 FR 31013, May 30, 1979]