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PREPARATION GUIDE / UNITED STATES

FIRPTA and US property sales: closing and tax records

Bring the full closing and withholding package to the preparer. The withholding at a property sale and the final return calculation need to be reconciled rather than treated as the same amount.

Preparation resource. Editorial review: November 3, 2026. This guide helps organize records and questions; it does not determine your tax position. Use the agency instructions for the relevant year and obtain advice for your circumstances.

Records to organize

Prepare the records that relate to your situation and keep the original supporting statements. Use the same filing year or clearly labelled periods so the reviewer can follow the history.

  • Purchase and sale closing statements
  • Forms 8288, 8288-A and related certificates
  • Property costs, improvements and ownership records

How to use these records

Keep the closing statement, withholding certificate and evidence of remittance together. FIRPTA withholding is not necessarily the seller's final tax liability. The preparer should reconcile withholding with the return and review any certificate or refund procedure separately.

The question to resolve before filing

How will the sale and withholding be reconciled on the applicable returns?

Start with the facts you can support. Identify missing statements, corrections and earlier filings instead of filling a gap with an estimate that has not been discussed. Tell the team which countries, tax years and agencies are involved so the engagement can cover the right work.

A mistake to avoid

Do not assume the amount withheld at closing is necessarily the final tax on the sale.

A clear handoff to your preparer

  1. Label the evidence. Keep each record with its relevant year, account or activity.
  2. List open questions. Share missing information and anything that differs from the prior return.
  3. Confirm the scope. Ask which returns, disclosures and follow-up work are included before preparation begins.

Do not enter identity numbers, account numbers, verification codes or tax-document copies in a public enquiry. Use your private client portal for requested records after onboarding.

Official starting points

Use the current agency guidance and the instructions for the applicable filing year. A source link is not confirmation that a particular rule, election or claim applies to your circumstances.

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