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.
Foreign Real Estate Buyers in Vancouver Facing New Tax
It’s no secret that many wealthy individuals own multiple homes, including vacation homes in foreign countries. In an effort to capitalize on this popular trend amongst the wealthy, many countries and/or cities have created new taxes aimed specifically at wealthy real estate buyers from foreign countries. Among the latest locations to enact a new…
Can a Trust Help You Save on State Income Taxes?
Of course, when it comes to lowering taxes almost all taxpayers first and foremost focus on taxes at the federal level. There are of course many ways to save on federal income taxes and the majority of taxes we all pay go to the federal government. So it makes sense that most taxpayers put…
Do You Still Have Outstanding Business Tax Returns?
Do You Still Have Outstanding Business Tax Returns? Entrepreneurs have a lot on their plate, as do all business owners. However, whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been in business for years, you need to makes sure that you stay up to date on your taxes. Missing taxes returns or filing them late can…
IRS Will Get its Share From Olympic Medalists, Too
IRS Will Get its Share From Olympic Medalists, Too If you’re like most people in the country, and many others around the world, then you’ve been watching the Summer Olympics over the last 10 days or so. After all, they only happen once every four years. There have been many exciting storylines, like Michael Phelps’s…