Primary tabs. An installment contract is a single contract that is completed by a series of performances–such as payments, performances of a service, or delivery of goods–rather than being performed all at one time. Installment contracts can provide that installments are to be performed by either one or both parties.
An installment sale has the following primary disadvantages: The sold assets will not receive stepped-up basis in the event of your death.
You may elect out by reporting all the gain as income in the year of the sale in ance with your method of accounting on Form 4797, Sales of Business Property, or on Schedule D (Form 1040), Capital Gains and Losses and Form 8949, Sales and Other Dispositions of Capital Assets.
Tax Deferral (for the seller): One of the most compelling reasons to consider an installment sale is the ability to defer capital gains tax.