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After-Tax Sale Proceeds Calculator
When you sell a rental, the check you walk away with is the sale price minus selling costs, minus what you still owe, minus the tax. This estimates all of it, so you know your real cash in hand, not just the headline price. It updates as you type.
Simplified federal estimate. It ignores state tax and some Net Investment Income Tax nuances, and assumes straight-line residential depreciation for the §1250 portion. Educational only, not tax advice. See IRS Topic 409 and Publication 544, and confirm with a CPA. Last reviewed August 11, 2026.
How this differs from a tax-only estimate
The depreciation recapture estimator tells you the tax. This tool goes one step further and nets out your loan payoff, so the headline is the actual cash that hits your account at closing. If you are underwater, or your payoff is large, that number can be far below what the sale price suggests, and it can even be negative, meaning you would bring money to the table.
How the tax splits
Your total gain is the net sale price minus your adjusted basis (cost basis minus depreciation). The IRS then taxes it in layers: the part equal to your depreciation is unrecaptured Section 1250 gain at up to 25%, and the rest is long-term capital gain at 0, 15, or 20%. If a cost segregation study reclassified components into Section 1245 property, that depreciation recaptures as ordinary income with no cap, which the advanced section handles.
A worked example
Sell for $500,000 with $30,000 in selling costs and a $180,000 loan to pay off. With a $300,000 basis and about $90,910 of depreciation, the total gain is roughly $260,910, and the tax comes to about $48,228. Your net cash in hand is $500,000 minus $30,000, minus $180,000, minus $48,228, or about $241,773. A 1031 exchange would defer the tax portion entirely.
Common questions
How is this different from the recapture estimator?
The recapture tool stops at the tax. This one subtracts your mortgage payoff too, so it shows the cash you actually receive, not just what you owe the IRS.
Does a 1031 exchange change the result?
Yes. A properly structured 1031 defers the entire tax, so your proceeds roll into the replacement property instead of part going to taxes. See the 1031 exchange explained.
Are selling costs deductible?
They reduce your amount realized on the sale, which lowers your taxable gain. This tool subtracts them before computing the gain.
What if I sell at a loss?
If the sale nets below your adjusted basis, there is generally no gain and no recapture. The tool still nets out selling costs and your loan payoff to show your cash position.
About the author
Ready Utilities was founded by Cedrick Reese, a retired veteran and web developer who enjoys building free, user-friendly online tools that simplify everyday tasks. My journey began in the early 2000s with affiliate marketing and niche site development, which grew into a passion for creating practical digital utilities and calculators. After retiring, I earned a Computer Systems Technician certificate from UEI College, completed Electro-Mechanical Technologies at Tulsa Welding School, and finished the Carpentry program at Florida State College at Jacksonville. Today, I combine my technical background and craftsmanship by building furniture using traditional woodworking methods, gardening, and developing helpful online tools for users worldwide.