Guides / Selling
Selling Florida property as a foreign owner: FIRPTA basics
If you are not a U.S. person, part of your sale price may be withheld at closing. Here is how FIRPTA works and how to plan for it.
By Danielle Salomon and Simone Pakoys · Updated 11/02/2026 · General information, not legal or tax advice.
Many owners in Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach and the rest of South Florida live abroad part or all of the year. If you are a foreign seller, a federal law called FIRPTA affects how much cash you receive at closing.
What FIRPTA withholding is
When a foreign person sells U.S. real estate, the buyer, through the closing agent, generally must withhold 15% of the amount realized and send it to the IRS. It is a prepayment toward any U.S. tax you owe on the sale, not an extra tax.
When the rate is lower
- If the buyer will use the home as a residence and the price is $300,000 or less, generally no withholding is required.
- If the buyer will use it as a residence and the price is over $300,000 but not more than $1,000,000, the rate is generally 10%.
Withholding certificates
If your actual tax will be lower than the amount withheld, you can apply to the IRS for a withholding certificate, ideally before closing, to reduce the amount held back. Otherwise you file a U.S. tax return after the sale to claim a refund of any excess.
How we help
Danielle speaks English, Spanish, French and Hebrew, Simone speaks English, Russian and Ukrainian, and our process works for sellers who are out of the country: virtual tours, clear updates and a closing plan built around your schedule.
Questions about your situation?
Danielle and Simone will walk you through it. No pressure.