Is that true? 4% on the sale of a home?
Yes, according to the author of the article. Should not be hard to verify if one wants to read the damned bill on the senate, house or Library of Congress websites.
I think it’s 3.8% on all non-earned income (capital gains, rents, interested, etc) for incomes greater than $200,000/$250,000 (Single/Married).
I’m not sure how this interacts with the existing home gain roll over exemptions, but I suspect those exemptions would still apply. Thus, only if it’s a non-exempt capital gain and your income exceeds the threshold would the additional 3.8% be applied.
But who knows.
That would be a capital gain.
Also, don't forget capital gains taxes go up in 2011 when the Bush tax cuts expire. I'm not sure what the rate will be then.