Amount to report as installment sale income. Multiply the payments you receive each year (less interest) by the gross profit percentage. The result is your installment sale income for the tax year.
An installment sale is a sale of property where you receive at least one payment after the tax year of the sale. If you realize a gain on an installment sale, you may be able to report part of your gain when you receive each payment. This method of reporting gain is called the installment method.
In an installment sale, the seller takes a note receivable for deferred payments from the buyer. The seller then recognizes taxable gain as installment payments of note receivable principal amounts are received, in proportion to the principal payments.
Purpose of IRS Form 6252 You can then report the proper amounts on your tax return. You must file Form 6252 for any year in which you received payments on the installment sale: In the year in which the sale actually occurred, fill out Lines 1 through 4 and Parts I and II.
Use Form 6252, Installment Sale Income to report an installment sale in the year the sale occurs and for each year of the installment obligation. You may need to attach Form 4797 and Schedule D (Form 1040) to your Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return or Form 1040-SR, U.S. Tax Return for Seniors.
Reporting the sale on your tax return Use Form 6252, Installment Sale Income to report an installment sale in the year the sale occurs and for each year of the installment obligation.
Capital Gain The gain from an installment sale is reported on IRS Form 6252 and then carried to Schedule D on Form 1040.
Installment Method Versus Accrual Basis Accounting In the accrual basis approach, all revenue from a sale can be recognized from the first transaction, without accounting for the risk associated with deferred payments. The installment method offers a more conservative approach to revenue recognition.