Free calculator · Leaving California
Cash at closing, capital gains and the 3⅓% California withholding, in one rough estimate. Nothing is saved or sent.
Short answer: when you sell a California home and move out of state, what you keep is your sale price minus your loan payoff and selling costs, minus any federal and California tax on gain above the home sale exclusion ($250,000 single, $500,000 for most married couples). California can tax that gain even after you move, and escrow may withhold 3⅓% of the price at closing unless you qualify for an exemption. Put your numbers in below to see your estimate.
| Sale price | $0 |
| Loans and liens paid off | $0 |
| Selling costs (agent, transfer tax, closing, repairs) | $0 |
| California withholding held at closing (Form 593) | $0 |
| Estimated cash to you at closing | $0 |
| Estimated gain | $0 |
| Gain left after the exclusion | $0 |
| Estimated federal tax on that gain | $0 |
| Estimated California tax on that gain | $0 |
| Estimated amount you keep after taxes | $0 |
Put in your numbers above. Nothing is saved or sent.
Any Form 593 withholding is a prepayment that's credited on your California return, so it's counted in your cash at closing but not taken out again after taxes. This is a rough estimate, not tax or legal advice.
Where are you moving? Las Vegas · Phoenix · Boise · Nashville · Dallas · Florida · Portland · San Diego · Bakersfield
Often, yes, if there is taxable gain. A California home is California-source income, so California can tax the gain even after you become a resident of another state. The federal home sale exclusion (up to $250,000, or $500,000 for most married couples) applies first, and California follows it. You report the sale on Form 540NR if you were a part-year or nonresident that year.
When a California property is sold, escrow generally withholds 3 1/3% of the sale price for the Franchise Tax Board unless an exemption applies (Form 593). It is a prepayment, not an extra tax, and it is credited on your California return. Selling your main home, or selling at a loss, often qualifies for an exemption.
If you owned the home and lived in it as your main home for at least two of the last five years, you can generally exclude up to $250,000 of gain, or up to $500,000 for most married couples filing jointly (IRS Publication 523). Gain above that is usually taxable.
Roughly: sale price, minus selling costs, minus what you paid for the home, minus the cost of improvements you made (not repairs). Keep receipts for improvements; they lower your gain. Your CPA will use your exact numbers.
No. We're Realtors, not CPAs. The calculator gives a rough estimate so you know what questions to ask. Take the numbers to your tax professional before you list.
Yes. We handle showings, vendors and updates here, and escrow can usually arrange for you to sign where you are. We also coordinate with your agent in your new city so the dates line up.
Sources: IRS Publication 523 (Selling Your Home); California Franchise Tax Board, Form 593 and instructions, and Form 540NR; Ventura County and Los Angeles County documentary transfer tax ($1.10 per $1,000). Rules change, so confirm details with your tax professional. Estimates only, not tax or legal advice. Information current as of November 2026. Steve Hise and Tricia Garcia, Real Estate Toolbox at eXp Realty, Simi Valley.