Cynthiad66
Expert Alumni

Deductions & credits

Please add more detail.  We need to know what this question is relating to on the taxreturn.  Here are some details about Long Term Capital Gains:

 

What is long-term capital gains taxLong-term capital gains tax is a tax on profits from the sale of an asset held for more than a year. The long-term capital gains tax rate is 0%, 15% or 20% depending on your taxable income and filing status. They are generally lower than short-term capital gains tax rates.

 

And now, the good news: long-term capital gains are taxed separately from your ordinary income, and your ordinary income is taxed FIRST. In other words, long-term capital gains and dividends which are taxed at the lower rates WILL NOT push your ordinary income into a higher tax bracket.

 

Anyone who sells a capital asset should know that capital gains tax may apply. And as the Internal Revenue Service points out, just about everything you own qualifies as a capital asset. That's the case whether you bought it as an investment, such as stocks or property, or for personal use, such as a car or a big-screen TV.

If you sell something for more than your "basis" in the item, then the difference is a capital gain, and you’ll need to report that gain on your taxes. Your basis is usually what you paid for the item. It includes not only the price of the item, but any other costs you had to pay to acquire it, including:

  • Sales taxes, excise taxes and other taxes and fees
  • Shipping and handling costs
  • Installation and setup charges

In addition, money spent on improvements that increase the value of the asset—such as a new addition to a building—can be added to your basis. Depreciation of an asset can reduce your basis.

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