Stock Up? Find Out Money Saving Tips When Selling Stock

Your shares of stock may be trading at an all time high, but you may be confused about whether to keep your stock, sell it, and what the tax implications of selling are.

Here are some of TurboTax tax experts’ favorite stock tips:

“If you’re getting ready to sell at a gain, take some time to see if maybe you have some “bad” stock to sell to offset the gains.   Try to time your sales to take advantage of tax breaks for long term (owning the stock for MORE than a year) gains.  Selling one day short can mean the difference between paying no tax versus paying tax on your gain! If you’re doing lots of trades watch out for any fees attached to trades.  If you are comfortable taking care of things on your own, look for a low or no cost brokerage.  Need more help?  Then you may pay for that help in upfront fees or per transaction fees.  These can quickly add up if you are making trades throughout the year and will take a bite out of your gain.  Lastly, if you want to learn, but not with your own money, there are a lot of “games” for investing that allow you to “buy” and trade stock (at real time prices).  Try your hand at buying and selling to see how things work without any money.  This is a great way to gain confidence and learn the lingo of stock sales.”  Lisa Skelly, EA MST

“With the market at record highs, now may be a good time to lock in those gains. While you can’t reliably time the market, you can time the sale of your stocks to capitalize on the historical low tax rates on those you hold more than a year. Hold at least one year to cut your tax rate on stock gains from as high as 39.6% to as low as 0% (most will pay either 15% or 20%).  Even though tax rates on stock gains are at historical lows, don’t forget that high income taxpayers may be faced with paying a 3.8% surtax on those gains. That surtax goes to pay for the Affordable Care Act.”  Bob Meighan, CPA

“Don’t forget that stocks held for more than one year before the sale, generally are taxed at a lower rate. Also, if you are planning to sell a stock that pays you dividends you need to pay attention to the “ex-dividend” date.  Sell before this date and you won’t get your dividend!  Lee Ferris, CPA

 

 

 

 

8 responses to “Stock Up? Find Out Money Saving Tips When Selling Stock”

1. 

   If your income is very low for 2018 what is the “sweet spot” for 0 (no tax liability) tax on long term capital gains?

   Reply
2. 

   You mentioned stock “games” for learned more and practice. But you did not give any examples or places to look for these games , nor did you mention any game costs.

   Reply
3. 

   What is the Capital gains rate on a land sale ?
   This land was inherited.

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   • 

     Hi Caroleen,

     Capital gains rates for land sales are the same as for stock sales.

     Short term (held less than one year) rates are the same as all other income.

     Long term (inherited property gain is always considered long term) will be 15 – 20% depending on your total income.

     Mary Ellen

     Reply
4. 

   Great article, what about company stock purchase plans that are doing well. I am purchasing at 15% below the value of the stock example purchased at 40/share and is now trading at about $90/share. Do I cash this in or let it ride?

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   • 

     Jay,

     Company stock purchase plans have special rules regarding tax rates, depending on how long you hold the stock. Sales more than two years from the offering date and more than one year from the purchase date are considered to be long term and qualify for long term capital gains tax rates. Other sales will be taxed as ordinary income.

     As to whether you should cash this in, only you have all the information needed to make that decision.

     Mary Ellen

     Reply
5. 

   money-saving tips

   Reply
6. 

   At what income level does Capital Gain rate go from 15% to 20%? At what income level does the 3.8% Obamacare extortion rule kick in?

   Reply