Tag: Capital Gains

  • Capital Gains – Introduction to Fundamentals

    Capital Gains – Introduction to Fundamentals

    When an individual or business sells an asset, the gain or loss is classified into one of two distinct tax groups – ordinary or capital. The tax classification is strictly tied to the nature of the asset sold. For most businesses, the assets sold are inventory.

  • Basis for Tax Purposes

    Basis for Tax Purposes

    Basis is a term used in computing gains and losses on the disposition of an asset. For any business owner or individual taxpayer it is important to understand what the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is really seeking. What is your tax basis in an asset? 

  • At-Risk Rules – An Elementary Understanding

    At-Risk Rules – An Elementary Understanding

    Code Section 465 of the Internal Revenue Code defines ‘At-Risk’ as the financial value the taxpayer has in jeopardy related to the business activity the taxpayer is invested in as some form of an owner. Effectively, the taxpayer may only take losses on his tax return contingent on the loss being directly tied to invested dollars…

  • Realized and Unrealized Gains or Losses

    Realized and Unrealized Gains or Losses

    When a product or investment is sold, the seller must realize a gain or loss from the transaction. The actual sale or transaction will trigger the gain or loss realized.  In effect, the receipt of cash sets the threshold for a ‘REALIZED’ amount. Unrealized gains or losses are potential i.e. on paper transactions.

  • Passive Income

    Passive Income

    Passive income is a form of earning money without materially participating in the activity from which the income is derived. There are two definitions for the reader to understand. There is the common business definition and the tax code definition.