In 1978, President Carter signed into law a tax package that included a capital gains tax reduction. Congress believed that the tax reduction would encourage additional sales of appreciated assets and the tax revenue from these “unlocked capital gains” would be sufficient to offset much of the revenue loss from the tax cut and possibly lead to an actual revenue increase. Although the decrease in capital gains taxes was intended to stimulate investment activity and increase spending, Congress did not approve of situations where individuals received too much of a tax break. Therefore, Congress also imposed an alternative minimum tax on income as adjusted by the capital gains deduction and certain adjusted itemized deductions (but let’s save alternative minimum tax for another day’s discussion!).
Our current capital gains tax rate structure was enacted in 2005 and was further extended by the 2010 Tax Relief Act. In general, for 2011 and 2012, the capital gains rate of 15% (or 0% for those in the lowest income tax bracket) applies to the sale of capital assets held long term. A capital asset is generally any property except for:
- Inventory;
- Depreciable or real property used in the taxpayer’s trade or business;
- Specified literary or artistic property;
- Business accounts or notes receivable, and/or
- Certain U.S. publications.
Special rates also apply for collectibles and depreciation recapture.
To qualify for long-term capital gain treatment, assets must be held for at least a year and one day before being sold. For stocks, it is the trade date that counts, not the settlement date. For other assets, the day that the ownership changes, not the contract date, determines the date of sale. If the asset is held for less than 12 months, then the gain is considered short term and taxed at ordinary income tax rates at whatever tax bracket the taxpayer is in that particular year. In the case of gifts or property received in a divorce, the holding period carries forward from the original holding period of the previous owner. Additional rules also apply when business assets are distributed to owners or partners.
For taxable years 2011 and 2012, any gain from the sale or exchange of property held more than five years, which would normally be taxed at the 10% rate, will be taxed at a 0% rate. For any gain from the sale or exchange of property held more than five years that would normally be taxed at the 20% rate is taxed at a 15% rate. Absent further legislation, in 2013 these rates will revert to the pre-2001 rates.
We all know that generally a gain or loss is not recognized on our tax return until we sell or dispose of an asset. A “paper loss”—a drop in an investment’s value below its purchase price—does not qualify for this deduction. The loss must be realized through the asset’s sale or exchange. Upon disposal of an asset, any gain is included in our taxable income. The net capital gain is calculated as the difference between the net sales price and the original cost or basis. If the asset is sold below our cost, the difference is a capital loss. Capital losses are first used to offset capital gains. Any excess can be used to offset ordinary income up to $3,000 per year, and any remaining capital losses are carried forward to the next tax year. Determining the holding period makes the greatest difference whether an asset is entitled to short-term or long-term capital gain treatment.
Times have changed since 1921 when the maximum tax on capital gains was 12.5%. Present law provides different tax rates for different types of property with rules provided by a complex tax code, complicating our financial planning and tax planning and requiring more detailed record keeping by taxpayers. And believe it or not, it’s not all a scam to force you to support your local C.P.A. Consult your tax adviser or financial planner. Capital gains can have a serious impact on your tax situation. It’s very important to plan ahead!
If you would like any further information regarding this issue as well as any other tax related issue, please contact Henssler Financial at 770-429-9166 or at experts@henssler.com
Disclosures
This article is meant to provide valuable background information on particular investments, NOT a recommendation to buy. The investments referenced within this article may currently be traded by Henssler Financial. All material presented is compiled from sources believed to be reliable and current, but accuracy cannot be guaranteed. The contents are intended for general information purposes only. Information provided should not be the sole basis in making any decisions and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified professional, such as a tax consultant, insurance adviser or attorney. Although this material is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with respect to the subject matter, it may not apply in all situations. Readers are urged to consult with their adviser concerning specific situations and questions. This is not to be construed as an offer to buy or sell any financial instruments. It is not our intention to state, indicate or imply in any manner that current or past results are indicative of future profitability or expectations. As with all investments, there are associated inherent risks. Please obtain and review all financial material carefully before investing. Henssler is not licensed to offer or sell insurance products, and this overview is not to be construed as an offer to purchase any insurance products.
