Capital Gains Ignorance Leads To Catastrophic Losses

The IRS regards almost every asset you use or own for business or personal reasons as a capital asset. Such items include your personal residence in addition to any furniture or stocks and bonds held in your own name. Net profit or loss from the sale of such commodities is either a capital gain or loss.

All capital gains must be accurately and fully reported on federal tax returns.

Deductible capital losses are limited to investment property.

Capital gains and losses may be categorized as either “short-term” or “long-term.”

Applicable net capital gain taxes are typically lower than other taxable … Read the rest

The Relationship Between Capital Gains And Economic Growth

Find Out whether or not lower taxes on capital gains promote economic growth.

Mitt Romney admitted on Tuesday that he pays less tax because most of his income is derived from his investments rather than from his wages. Investment incomes are only subjected to 15 percent withholding tax as opposed to the 35 percent tax rate that top employees pay. Romney’s concession reignited the debate as to whether the tax rate on capital gains should be that low.

Jared Bernstein is of the opinion that there is no clear way of showing that low taxes on capital gains promote investments. … Read the rest