Final answer:
To minimize her 2022 taxable capital gains, Heidi should allocate her principal residence gain reduction for the years 2017 to 2022 by claiming the principal residence exemption on the entire gain from the sale of the chalet in 2022 and on a smaller gain from the sale of the lakeside cabin in 2022.
Step-by-step explanation:
To minimize her 2022 taxable capital gains, Heidi should allocate her principal residence gain reduction for the years 2017 to 2022 in a way that maximizes the tax benefits.
Since she lived full-time at the chalet in 2017, it can be considered her principal residence for that year. As a result, she can claim the principal residence exemption on the entire gain of $30,000 ($180,000 - $150,000) from the sale of the chalet in 2022. This means she won't owe any taxes on that gain.
In 2018 to 2022, Heidi split her time equally between the chalet and the lakeside cabin. Since she can only have one principal residence for these years, she will need to choose which property to designate as her principal residence.
To minimize her 2022 taxable capital gains, she should designate the lakeside cabin as her principal residence for these years, as it experienced a smaller gain compared to the chalet. By doing so, she can claim the principal residence exemption on a smaller gain of $30,000 ($130,000 - $100,000) from the sale of the lakeside cabin in 2022.
In summary, Heidi should allocate her principal residence gain reduction for the years 2017 to 2022 by claiming the principal residence exemption on the entire gain from the sale of the chalet in 2022 and on a smaller gain from the sale of the lakeside cabin in 2022.