Requirements for an Installments Sale
Installment sales are useful for lowering capital gains taxes, where the income can be delayed until they are taxed at lower rates.
However, there are two requirements for an installment sale. The first is that if an asset is sold and payments will be made over time that at least one payment be received a year after the tax year of the sale. The second is that the installment sale is recorded on Form 6252.
An installment sale cannot be used when the property or asset is sold at a loss or if the personal property or real property is sold by dealers. Installment sales cannot be used for inventory that is sold during the normal course of business. As well, the sale of stocks or other investment securities cannot be used for an installment sale.