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New Member
posted Jun 3, 2019 12:21:44 PM

I need advise of some stock I want to sell.

I do not want to owe taxes the end of the year.

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1 Best answer
Level 13
Jun 3, 2019 12:21:48 PM

In any case, you seem to be letting the Tax Tail wag the Investment Dog, which is foolish.

If you've got a profit in the stock and if you think the stock is going to fall out of bed in the near future, you sell your investment and - maybe - share some of that profit with the IRS.  (Long term gains are taxed at very favorable rates, starting a 0% for some, taxed at only 15% for most.)  And you laugh all the way to the bank.

Not selling a stock because you don't want to pay taxes on the gain and then watching those profits disappear as the share price plummets is just plain silly.

Tom Young

6 Replies
Level 9
Jun 3, 2019 12:21:45 PM

And your tax question is??????
What is your expected gain on the stock sale and did you own it for more than a year?
What is total of all your other income for 2017?

Level 15
Jun 3, 2019 12:21:47 PM

Whether you have to pay any tax for selling the stock depends on the answers to the questions that re2boys asked you.

Level 13
Jun 3, 2019 12:21:48 PM

In any case, you seem to be letting the Tax Tail wag the Investment Dog, which is foolish.

If you've got a profit in the stock and if you think the stock is going to fall out of bed in the near future, you sell your investment and - maybe - share some of that profit with the IRS.  (Long term gains are taxed at very favorable rates, starting a 0% for some, taxed at only 15% for most.)  And you laugh all the way to the bank.

Not selling a stock because you don't want to pay taxes on the gain and then watching those profits disappear as the share price plummets is just plain silly.

Tom Young

Level 15
Jun 3, 2019 12:21:49 PM

Well put, Tom.
Just remember state taxes as well.

Level 15
Jun 3, 2019 12:21:50 PM

Unfortunately, watching profits evaporate is the lot of many investors.
Noone can predict the top or the bottom. And no bell rings to announce it.

Level 15
Jun 3, 2019 12:21:53 PM

Pay now, or pay later.
Estimated tax payment in 2017, or final tax due April 15, 2018


Strictly speaking, IRS expects you to make that Estimated Tax payment.