Capital Gain vs. Capital Loss
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Capital Gain vs. Capital Loss

Sale and purchase are normal activities taking place regularly in a business. Whenever an asset is sold in a business, whether it’s property, bonds, stocks, gold, silver, building, land, etc., it is termed as a capital asset. Obviously, whenever a capital asset is sold, you either gain or lose money on the investment you made initially. If you earn profit from the sale of a capital asset, it is termed as capital gain and vice versa; if you incur a loss on the sale of your investment, it is termed as a capital loss. This blog will take you through the capital gains and loss thoroughly while unfolding some facts as to how these capital gains and losses affect your business income and tax returns. Let’s get through it!

Capital Gains

Whenever a capital asset is sold for a price usually costlier than its initial investment value, the difference between the two is termed as Capital Gain. There are two types of capital gains- short-term capital gain and long-term gain. Capital gains are normally assessed at favorable tax rates than regular salaries. However, the case is not always the same and therefore, the tax rate varies in different kinds of capital gains. For example, the current market price of your bonds is $1000, but you sold them at a rate of $1500; the excess of $500 is considered as a capital gain on the sale of capital assets. 

Estimating the gain predicated on your tax rate is another easy technique to figure out how much capital gains tax you incur on a sale. If you dispose of a capital asset that you’ve possessed for less than a year, you’ll pay tax at your regular income tax rate. Capital gains of a significant amount might boost your adjusted gross income. This may affect the number of tax deductions and credits you are eligible for.

Capital Loss

Whenever a capital asset is sold at a price lesser than the initial investment value, the difference is considered as the capital loss. The capital loss incurred by a company usually decreases the company’s taxable income. For example, if a company has purchased the production machinery for $20000 and sold it later for $15000, the difference i.e., $5000 would be deemed as capital loss. Like capital gains, capital losses are also of two types- short-term and long-term capital loss. If an assessee incurs a Short Term/ Long Term Capital Loss as a result of the disposal of assets, the loss can be offset against other income that same year. 

If the loss is not offset in the same year, it might be transferred forward to the following year. Whether an NRI or a Resident Indian incurred the loss on sale of an asset, the treatment of Capital Loss would be the same in all situations.

Facts About Capital Gains & Capital Losses

Short-term capital losses or gains occur when capital assets are retained for less than a year. Long-term capital losses or gains, on the other hand, occur on capital assets held for longer than a year.

  • Limit on Losses

If your capital losses exceed your capital gains, you can claim the difference as a loss on your tax return and use it to offset other means of revenue, such as salaries.

  • Net Investment Income Tax

If your revenue increases specified thresholds, you might be liable to the Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) on your capital gains.

  • Deductible Losses

Capital losses on the sale of an investment property can be deducted. You can’t deduct losses from the property disposal you keep for your use.

  • Tax Rate

The tax brackets on net capital gains vary depending on your earnings, but they are normally lower than the tax rates on other revenues.

The Bottom Line

Before selling business assets, make a rough idea of what would it result to- a capital gain or a capital loss. However, expert and professional understanding with Bellzone Funding LLC can help you to determine these gains and losses and their result in your federal income and tax return. Contact us, get expert financial advice, and avail yourself of tax benefits and other opportunities for your businesses.

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