Quick Summary: Before the calendar flips, get your paper trail in order: sale documents, improvement receipts, permits, and property-tax proof of payment. If you inherited a home this year, consider a date-of-death appraisal to support your CPA. In California, don’t miss the property-taxinstallment deadlines (1st installment is delinquent after Dec 10) .

Who this is for: Seniors, adult children of seniors, caretakers—anyone who sold a home this year, plans to sell next year, or is organizing a parent’s estate.

Friendly note: I’m not a CPA or attorney. This is general info; always confirm your specifics with your tax pro.

The Year-End Checklist (copy/paste and work down the list)

If you sold a home this year

  • Close-of-escrow packet: Save final settlement statement, 1099-S (if issued), and any repair credits.

  • Improvements file: Gather receipts for capital improvements (roof, windows, HVAC, major bath/kitchen, accessibility upgrades). These can adjust your cost basis.

  • Permits & finals: Clip in copies of permits/final inspections—your CPA will love you for this.

  • Staging/clean-out costs: Keep invoices; your CPA will tell you what’s deductible vs. basis vs. non-deductible.

  • Moving & storage: Keep records (even if non-deductible federally, they can matter in planning).

If you inherited a home (or are helping a parent’s estate)

  • Date-of-death valuation: Ask me to coordinate an appraisal to support the step-up in basis conversation with your CPA.

  • Utility & insurance continuity: Make sure the home stayed insured and lights/water were on for any work, photos, or inspections.

  • Estate sale summary: Keep the settlement report and donation receipts for anything given to charity.

  • Title & deed check: Confirm current vesting matches the estate plan (trust vs. individual); flag any liens early.

planning to sell next year

  • Pre-January tune-ups: Knock out low-cost fixes buyers notice (lighting, paint touch-ups, caulk, safety items).

  • Start a “basis binder”: One folder (or cloud drive) for every improvement receipt going forward.

  • Get inspections on your terms: A pre-listing general/termite report can prevent surprises and help your CPA classify repairs vs. improvements.

  • Ask about timing: Your CPA can advise whether a Dec vs. Jan closing changes your tax picture (installment sale timing, estimated taxes, etc.).

California property-tax reminders (mark your calendar)

  • 1st installment: Due Nov 1, delinquent after Dec 10.

  • 2nd installment: Due Feb 1, delinquent after Apr 10.

  • Paying by year-end? Keep the stamped receipt or online confirmation for your CPA (especially if you itemize).

For seniors staying put (aging-in-place lens)

  • Accessibility upgrades: Track costs for grab bars, zero-threshold shower, ramps, lever handles—often capital improvements (basis discussion with your CPA).

  • Energy-related upgrades: Save documentation for any credits your CPA flags as available this year.

  • Homestead/asset-protection questions: Ask your attorney about California options and whether any filings help you.

A few FAQs I hear (and how I answer)

“Do I need every single Home Depot receipt?”
Keep receipts for capital improvements (things that add value or extend life). Routine maintenance (like basic yard service) typically doesn’t adjust basis—your CPA will sort the details, but give them the full folder.

“We sold an inherited home—do we still need an appraisal?”
If you didn’t obtain a date-of-death appraisal at the time, it’s still worth asking your CPA whether a retrospective appraisal is helpful for your file.

“What if we donated most of the contents during the estate sale clean-out?”
Save donation receipts with item descriptions (estate sale company or charity often helps). Your CPA will advise how to treat them.

“We’re out of state—can you get us what our CPA needs?”
Yes. I’ll coordinate the appraisal, pull copies of permits if available, and assemble a neat digital packet of your real-estate docs.

How I can help (so you don’t chase paperwork)

  • Coordinate a date-of-death appraisal for heirs.

  • Pull a current deed and help reconcile title with the estate plan.

  • Create a clean “basis binder” (digital or paper) with improvements, permits, and sale docs.

  • Provide a pre-listing checklist if you’re eyeing a spring sale.

If you want my one-page Year-End Real Estate Tax Tune-Up Checklist, email today and I’ll send it over. A little organizing now makes April a lot calmer.