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Financial Planning

A Taxing Story: Capital Gains and Losses

 

Chris Rock once remarked, “You don’t pay taxes – they take taxes.”(1) That applies not only to income, but also to capital gains.

Capital gains result when an individual sells an investment for an amount greater than their purchase price. Capital gains are categorized as short-term gains (a gain realized on an asset held one year or less) or as long-term gains (a gain realized on an asset held longer than one year).

Long-Term vs. Short-Term Gains


Short-term capital gains are taxed at ordinary income tax rates. Long-term capital gains are taxed according to different ranges (shown below).(2)

Long Term Capital Gains Tax Brackets (for 2019)

Tax Bracket/Rate Single Married Filing Jointly Head of Household
0%  $0 - $39,375 $0 - $78,750 $0 - $52,750
 15% $39,376 - $434,550 $78,751 - $488,850 $52,751 - $461,700
20% $434,551+ $488,851+ $461,701+

It should also be noted that taxpayers whose adjusted gross income is in excess of $200,000 (single filers) or $250,000 (joint filers) may be subject to an additional 3.8% tax as a net investment income tax.(3) 

Also, keep in mind that the long-term capital gains rate for collectibles and precious metals remains at a maximum 28%.(3)

Rules for Capital Losses

Capital losses may be used to offset capital gains.4 If the losses exceed the gains, up to $3,000 of those losses may be used to offset the taxes on other kinds of income. Should you have more than $3,000 in such capital losses, you may be able to carry the losses forward. You can continue to carry forward these losses until such time that future realized gains exhaust them. Under current law, the ability to carry these losses forward is lost only on death.(4,5)

Finally, for some assets, the calculation of a capital gain or loss may not be as simple and straightforward as it sounds. As with any matter dealing with taxes, individuals are encouraged to seek the counsel of a professional tax professional before making any tax-related decisions.

1. Brainy Quote, 2019
2. Tax Foundation, 2019
3. IRS.gov, 2019
4. Intuit TurboTax, 2019
5. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation.

Securities offered through FSC Securities Corporation, member FINRA/SIPC and investment advisory services offered through The Retirement Group, LLC, a registered investment advisor not affiliated with FSC Securities Corporation. Although FSC is a signatory to the Broker Protocol, TRG is not. The removal of PII from FSC under the Broker Protocol is a violation of the Privacy Policy. Representatives are securities registered and are able to service clients in the following states: ALABAMA, ARIZONA, ARKANSAS, CALIFORNIA, COLORADO, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KANSAS, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MISSISSIPPI, MISSOURI, NEVADA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH CAROLINA, OHIO, OKLAHOMA, OREGON, PENNSYLVANIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, TEXAS, TENNESSEE, WASHINGTON, WISCONSIN.

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