Can I Avoid Capital Gains Tax if the Proceeds from the Sale of Stock Are Put Into a Roth IRA?

[Melissa_A36]

I sold stock that I had purchased under an employee discount program. I hadn't held all of the shares for over one year, so I anticipate that the short-term gains will be taxed. Can I avoid that tax by immediately putting the money from the sale into my Roth IRA?

[Opus 17]

No.  The sale of the stock is a separate transaction and will be taxed according to its own rules.  Whatever you do with the money afterward is completely separate.