IRS Publication 537: Installment Sales

Publication 537, titled "Installment Sales," is a free resource offered by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to help taxpayers understand and apply the installment method for reporting income from the sale of property.

What is Publication 537?

Published by the IRS, Publication 537 is a free resource explaining the tax implications of installment sales. It outlines the "installment method," an accounting technique for reporting income when you sell property and receive payments over multiple years.

This method can be beneficial, allowing you to spread your gain (or loss) across the payment period, potentially reducing your tax liability in any given year.

Who Should Use Publication 537?

This publication is relevant if you:

• Sold property (e.g., real estate, business assets) and received at least one payment after the sale year.
• Are considering using the installment method to report your gain or loss.
• Need clarification on specific rules or exceptions related to installment sales.

Why Use Publication 537?

To understand tax implications: This publication clarifies how to report income from installment sales and calculate taxable gain.

To choose the right method: Learn about the installment method and how it compares to other reporting methods like recognizing all gain in the year of sale.

To navigate specific situations: Publication 537 covers various scenarios, such as dealer sales, contingent payments, and repossessions.

Key Points To Remember About Publication 537:

A. Qualifying for the installment method: Not all sales qualify. Exclusions include inventory sales and dealer sales of personal property.

B. Calculating gain: The publication explains how to determine your gross profit, selling price, and basis in the property to calculate taxable gain.

C. Reporting income: Learn how to calculate the gross profit ratio and apply it to each payment to determine the taxable portion of your income.

D. Interest considerations: Understand how to handle stated interest and unstated interest in installment sales.

E. Special situations: Publication 537 addresses specific scenarios like sales of depreciable property, contingent payments, and debt assumption by the buyer.

F. Electing out of the installment method: You can choose to report all gain in the year of sale under certain circumstances.