Income tax when selling a property: when you pay nothing

Since 2021 a ten-year holding period applies to newly acquired properties. For properties acquired up to the end of 2020 the five-year test still applies.

The exemption also applies if you had your residence in the property for at least two years immediately before the sale, or if you use the proceeds for your own housing needs.

Using the proceeds for housing must be reported to the tax office by the tax return deadline. This step is often forgotten, and the exemption is then lost.