Emily Clarke

What is Tax-Loss Harvesting?

Introduction

Tax-loss harvesting is a strategy used by investors to improve their overall tax situation. It involves selling securities that have experienced a loss and replacing them with similar investments to maintain the desired asset allocation and expected returns. This technique allows investors to offset taxes on both gains and income by utilizing the losses incurred during the selling process.

How It Works

The process can be executed at any time during the year, but it is most commonly applied at the end of the fiscal year when investors can assess their gains and losses across their entire portfolio. When an investment is sold at a loss, the investor realizes a capital loss, which can be used to offset capital gains from other investments. If the total losses exceed the gains, up to $3,000 can be deducted from other forms of income for individual investors, with the remaining losses being carried forward to future years.

Utilizing it effectively requires a careful approach to avoid the wash-sale rule, which prohibits investors from claiming a tax deduction for a security sold at a loss if a substantially identical security is purchased within 30 days before or after the sale. To navigate this rule, investors might select investments that are similar but not identical in composition or sector exposure.

Benefits

The primary benefit is its ability to lower an investor's tax liability. By realizing losses, investors can reduce the amount of taxes owed on capital gains or other income. This strategy not only provides immediate tax relief but also helps in rebalancing the portfolio by reducing exposure to underperforming assets while shifting the focus toward more promising investments.

In conclusion, tax-loss harvesting is a valuable strategy for managing investment portfolios and reducing tax burdens. It requires strategic planning and timing to ensure that all regulations are met, especially concerning the wash-sale rule, to maximize the financial benefits.

Author Resource:-

Emily Clarke writes about RIA and wealth management for financial advisors and more. You can find her thoughts at investment management blog.