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Wash-Sale Rule: What You Need to Know

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Elite Accounting & Tax Inc
Wash-Sale Rule: What You Need to Know

With tax season nearing, you’re probably searching for ways to reduce your taxes. In doing so, you’ll come across the wash-sale rule. In today’s post, we’ll take a closer look at the wash-sale rule and how a wash-sale can be used for tax planning purposes.


What is the wash-sale?

A wash sale is when you sell an investment and repurchase it or a similar asset, commonly at a similar price. It’s a “wash” in terms of investing because the sale and repurchase have no real influence on the performance or composition of your portfolio.

 

What is the wash-sale rule?

The wash sale rule forbids an investor from claiming a tax deduction if they sell an investment at a loss then buy it back again within 30 days of the sale, or if the investments are substantially equivalent.


What happens if you violate the wash-sale rule?

Fortunately, there isn’t any real penalty. However, your attempt to claim a loss as a tax deduction will be rejected if your transaction is in violation of the wash-sale rule. Furthermore, the purchase price of the security you acquired that broke the wash-sale rule must be increased by the amount of the loss. This delays the loss deduction until the security is sold, according to the IRS.


Want to learn more about the wash-sale rule? Work with our CPA.

A wash-sale is just one of the ways you can reduce your taxable income. However, it must be done correctly for it to be a viable tax planning strategy. Our CPA can walk you through the process and help you with effective tax preparationGet in touch with us or book a consultation to get started. 


Elite Accounting & Tax gives you a closer look at the wash-sale rule and how a wash-sale can be used as a tax strategy for tax planning purposes. Read on!

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