You must report the sale of a home if you received a Form 1099-S reporting the proceeds from the sale or if there is a non-excludable gain. Some homeowners may be able to avoid paying capital gains tax on their profit because of an IRS exemption rule called the Section 121 exclusion.Discover everything you need to know about capital gains tax on real estate sales. Minimize tax liabilities and maximize profits. If profits on your home sale are likely to be high, keep track of your selling expenses so as to lower your capital gains tax obligation. Home prices are rising, and selling your primary home could trigger capital gains taxes. Here is how to calculate your tax bill. Real estate sales are considered capital gains, so when you sell a property you account for any profits or losses on your capital gains taxes. My wife and I are looking to sell our Florida primary residence and relocate to Georgia. IRC § 121 relates to the federal income tax exclusion of gain on the sale of a principal residence.