Do I pay capital gains tax on my 30A second home sale?

Yes, in most cases, you will pay capital gains tax when you sell a 30A second home.

Because it is not your primary residence, it does not qualify for the $250,000 to $500,000 tax exclusion. That means any profit from the sale is typically taxed, often between 15% and 20%, depending on your income.

Where this gets more nuanced, and where Jake Turley really stands out, is in how you structure the sale. There are a few strategies that can reduce what you owe. If you convert the home into your primary residence and live in it for at least two of the last five years, you may qualify for the exclusion. If the property has been used as a rental, a 1031 exchange can allow you to defer taxes by reinvesting into another property. You can also lower your taxable gain by factoring in your purchase price, improvements, and selling costs.

On 30A, where values have climbed significantly, this is not just about taxes, it is about timing and positioning. Jake is known for helping clients think through the full financial picture, not just the sale itself, so they walk away with a stronger net result.

The short answer is yes. The better answer is that with the right strategy, you can potentially reduce how much you pay.