Different keystrokes for different folks.  I don't assume there is not a little man at IRS with a green eyeshade looking at returns and saying, "these folks didn't get a 1099-S but they still think they have to claim the exclusion, maybe we should look at what that's all about."  I do assume that my clients look at returns and expect me to explain where the numbers came from.  So I feel some obligation to ask them about basis and improvements and all that.  For those who don't waste their time talking to clients before and after a return is done, the shortcut probably works well.