In the UK, individuals benefit from Principal Private Residence (PPR) relief. This allows individuals to sell their main home and pay no capital gains tax, assuming a few conditions on occupation are met.
Unfortunately, the Americans amongst us have another set of rules to play by. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has a worldwide reach on US citizens’ tax affairs, and the gain made on the sale of the family home, i.e. the main residence, is potentially subject to capital gains tax in the US.