Monday, July 26, 2010

Where should I report Capital Gain or Loss?

Capital Gain or Loss:

Almost everything you own and use for personal or investment purposes is a capital asset. For e.g. your home, household furnishings, and stocks or bonds held in your personal account. When you sell a capital asset, the difference between the amount you sell it for and your basis, which is usually what you paid for it, is a capital gain or a capital loss.

You have a capital gain if you sell the asset for more than your basis. You have a capital loss if you sell the asset for less than your basis. Losses from the sale of personal-use property, such as your home or car, are not deductible.

Capital gains and losses are classified as long-term or short-term. If you hold the asset for more than one year before you dispose of it, your capital gain or loss is long term. If you hold it one year or less, your capital gain or loss is short term.

You may have to report capital gains and losses on Schedule D of Form 1040. If you have a net capital gain, that gain may be taxed at a lower tax rate. The term "net capital gain" means the amount by which your net long-term capital gain for the year is more than your net short-term capital loss.

If you have a taxable capital gain, you may be required to make estimated tax payments.

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