Foreigner's Tax Dilemma from Flipped Property

Dear Tax Talk,

I am a Canadian who purchased a fix-and-flip home in Arizona. I have now sold the home for more than $300,000; thus, I have a foreign withholding tax of 10 percent of the purchase price. However, my entire profit is substantially less than the 10 percent being withheld so I am filing Form 8288-B. I find the form straightforward but in addition to the form, I need to file other documents and statements. Can you please outline what else I need to file with Form 8288-B?

-- Gloria

Dear Gloria,

If the foreign seller knows the withholding will be excessive, he or she can apply for a reduced withholding certificate with Form 8288-B. The buyer still withholds, but instead of paying the amount to the IRS, they hang onto it -- typically with an escrow agent -- until the IRS accepts Form 8288-B. The certificate for reduced withholding is based on the maximum tax of the seller. The form is filed on or before closing, and it usually takes about 90 days for the IRS to respond.

The maximum tax the seller can have on the sale is composed of two parts:

1. Any unsatisfied withholding from when purchased (8288-B, question 8). 2. The tax from the sale (question 7b).

Proof for both components should be attached to the withholding certificate.

To establish there is no unsatisfied withholding from the purchase, you have to show either the purchase was exempted from withholding or that you withheld. Typically, if you didn't withhold on the purchase, it is because somewhere in all your closing papers the seller signed a nonforeign affidavit. Attach that as proof. The maximum tax should start with a columnar paper (i.e., in Excel) showing the purchase price from when you bought the property, which should be supported by your HUD-1 (a document lenders are required to provide that states the actual costs of the loan). Continue with invoices, receipts and contracts for improvements. Forget electricity, interest, taxes and insurance, as the IRS does not consider this basis. Your tax from the sale should be shown at 15 percent of the gain provided your holding period will be long term. Follow the instructions for this line for more attachments such as the contract for purchase. At this point, you should be looking for an accountant to get this done. Good luck.

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