How to Avoid Capital Gains Taxes

CAPITAL GAINS Taxes: DETERMINING YOUR TAX BASIS

 

For many of the nation’s high net worth individuals, much of their wealth comes from capital gains. Capital gains are better than income because they are taxed at a much lower percentage than other income. While capital gains taxes could be going down under the Trump administration, it still pays to know every trick in the book to avoid paying more taxes on them than you have to.

With that mind, let’s look at some of the important tips you should know in order to keep your capital gains taxes low. One smart move is to use a tax-advantaged retirement account when you invest. When you use a retirement account to invest, your money is allowed to grow tax-deferred, instead of paying a tax on the gains like a normal investment. Plus, if you use a Roth IRA, even your withdrawals are tax-free.

Additionally, the longer you hold your investments the less you will pay in taxes. If you hold an investment for a year or less then you will pay a percentage rate equal to your ordinary income. If you hold them longer than a year your rates decrease substantially.

Always look for opportunities to sell your underperforming stocks in order to offset the gains from your successful stocks. This will lower your tax bill. Lastly, keep track of your home improvements so when it comes time to sell your home you can use those expenses as deductions from any gains you make on the sale price of your home.

https://www.fool.com/retirement/2017/02/07/4-tips-for-avoiding-capital-gains-tax.aspx

Posted in ,
tax cuts

How Much of the Latest Tax Cuts Are Going to the Wealthy?

How Much of the Latest Tax Cuts Are Going to the Wealthy? The tax cuts are in and the jury is…well…still out. That’s because it all depends on who you ask. In this case, according to the latest report from the Institute on Taxation and Economic and Policy(ITEP), an organization that leans left, the rich…

Don’t Underestimate Listening as a Leadership Tool

Don’t Underestimate Listening as a Leadership Tool

Listening as a Leadership Tool Are you a good listener? If you’re a leader and you haven’t mastered the skill of listening, then chances are your leadership skills need some improvement. One of the key components to becoming a great leader is being able to build trust. If people don’t trust you they won’t follow…

Use These Tips to Save for Retirement

Use These Tips to Save for Retirement

Use These Tips to Save for Retirement Everyone has retirement dreams. But dreams are not reality. The reality is if you want your retirement dreams to come true you have to be intentional about them. That means you have to plan for retirement. It means you need to start saving, now. So what’s the best…

Which States Take the Most From the Wealthy?

Which States Take the Most From the Wealthy?

Which States Take the Most From the Wealthy? No one likes paying taxes. That being said, most people recognize the need for taxes. But they still do everything they can to keep their tax bill as low as possible. Minimizing taxes is especially important for the wealthy because they pay the majority of the country’s…