Lesson

Capital gains are the profits made from the sale of an investment or asset. Understanding the different types of capital gains, how they are taxed, and strategies to minimize taxes on capital gains is essential for making informed investment recommendations and strategies.

Practice Question #1

Which of the following is considered a long-term capital gain?

Options

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Terms

Capital Gains:
Profits made from the sale of an investment or asset.
Capital Losses:
Losses incurred from the sale of an investment or asset.
Short-term Capital Gains:
Gains on assets held for one year or less, taxed as ordinary income.
Long-term Capital Gains:
Gains on assets held for over a year, taxed at a lower rate than ordinary income.
Taxable Gain:
The amount of capital gain subject to taxation.
Cost Basis:
The original value of an asset used to determine capital gains or losses.

Practice Question #2

What is the primary difference between short-term and long-term capital gains?

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Do Not Confuse With

Interest Income:
Earnings from investments such as bonds or savings accounts, taxed differently than capital gains.

Practice Question #3

Which of the following is NOT a capital asset?

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Historical Example

In 1997, the Taxpayer Relief Act was passed, which reduced the maximum long-term capital gains tax rate from 28% to 20%. This change encouraged investors to hold onto their investments for longer periods, as they would be subject to lower tax rates on their gains.

Practice Question #4

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Real-World Example

An investor purchases 100 shares of a stock for $10 per share, for a total cost basis of $1,000. Two years later, the investor sells the shares for $15 per share, for $1,500. The investor has a long-term capital gain of $500 ($1,500 - $1,000), which will be taxed at the lower long-term capital gains tax rate.

Practice Question #5

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Thresholds to Remember

- Holding period: The length of time an asset is held before being sold determines whether it is considered a short-term or long-term capital gain. - Tax rates: Short-term capital gains are taxed at the individual's ordinary income tax rate, while long-term capital gains are taxed at a lower rate, depending on the individual's income level.

Practice Question #6

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Threshold Examples

- Holding period example: If an investor sells a stock after holding it for under a year, the gain is considered short-term. The gain is considered long-term if the investor sells the stock after holding it for more than a year.

Practice Question #7

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Pitfalls to Remember

- Wash sale rule:
If an investor sells a security at a loss and repurchases the same or a substantially identical security within 30 days before or after the sale, the loss cannot be claimed for tax purposes.

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