Things to Consider for Your 2015 Capital Gains Tax
There are all kinds of investors in the world. Some are looking to make a quick buck by buying and then quickly selling stocks as soon as they increase in value. Other investors buy stocks with an eye toward the future, which means they are in it for the long haul.
In any case, anyone who invests wants to be successful at it. It’s a great feeling to buy stock in a company and see that stock increase in value. However, at some point if you plan on selling that stock and cashing in or your gains, you will have to give a portion of those gains to the taxman. What percentage you will owe will depend on the size of your gain and how long you have owned the stock.
The government wants investors to hold onto their stocks longer. To encourage this they have a lower tax percentage on stocks held longer than a year. Whether you’re a quick turnaround trader or a long-term investor here’s what you should be aware of in 2015 for your capital gains taxes.
First, generally all you need to know to determine your capital gains is the difference between what you paid for the stock and how much you sold it for. When you know that amount then you can calculate the tax. Your tax rate will depend on which bracket you’re in. There are three that apply:
- If your ordinary income puts you in the 10-15 percent tax bracket, then your long-term capital gains rate is 0 percent.
- If your ordinary income falls in one of the 25, 28, 33, or 35 percent tax brackets then your long-term capital gains rate is 15 percent.
- If your ordinary income is in the 39.6% tax bracket, then your long-term capital gains rate is 20%.
There are a few other caveats to remember. For high-income earners, there is an additional 3.8 percent surtax on net investment income. Also, you only pay taxes on the net of your capital gains, which can make a big difference if you sell more than one stock in a year. If you want to learn more about capital gains taxes then please contact GROCO for more answers. Click here or call us at 1-877-CPA-2006.
Late Filed IRS Form 5471 – Automatic Penalty of $10,000 is a reality!
IRS Form 5471, Information Return of U.S. Persons With Respect to Certain Foreign Corporations, has been a filing requirement for many decades if a U.S. taxpayer owns a significant amount of a foreign corporation. The form has gotten ever longer over the years and is now long and difficult to complete, and in some cases,…
Should You Invest in Residential or Commercial Properties?
Should You Invest in Residential or Commercial Properties? Most people in Northern CA started investing in real estate by buying their own homes. And most have made money as real estate in Northern CA has continued to appreciate in value. So when they move up, they decide to rent out their first homes. And then…
Unpleasant Tax Surprise for Thousands of IRA Holders
Unpleasant Tax Surprise for Thousands of IRA Holders Imagine getting a letter in the mail telling you that you owe more than $24,000 in taxes, with about a fourth of that total being because of late penalties. That’s the kind of surprise that nobody ever wants to get. However, that’s exactly what happened to one…
Corporate Tax Planning: Mergers, Acquisitions and Reorganizations
Corporate Tax Planning: Mergers, Acquisitions and Reorganizations by Greenstein, Rogoff, Olsen & Co., LLP In today’s ever-changing business world, a corporation often needs to reconstruct its form for economic survival and growth. These corporate divisions and combinations usually involve exchanges of stock and property, and normally would be taxable transactions. However, Congress enacted certain provisions…