2 Capital Gains and Losses

U.S. Tax Law Fundamentals · 3:08

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Lyrics

[Verse 1]
When you buy and sell your stocks and bonds
Real estate and crypto too
Section twelve twenty-one defines
What capital assets mean to you
But inventory from your trade
And business property you use
Are excluded from this game
Different tax rules you must choose

[Chorus]
Capital gains, capital pains
Short-term's ordinary, long-term's the key
Hold it more than one whole year
Zero fifteen twenty rates so clear
Three thousand dollars max loss per year
Wash sale thirty days beware
Capital gains, learn the game
Tax advantages you can claim

[Verse 2]
Short-term means a year or less
Taxed like wages that you earn
But hold for more than twelve months time
Lower rates you're gonna learn
Zero percent if you're low income
Fifteen for the middle class
Twenty percent for high earners
That's how long-term gains will pass

[Chorus]
Capital gains, capital pains
Short-term's ordinary, long-term's the key
Hold it more than one whole year
Zero fifteen twenty rates so clear
Three thousand dollars max loss per year
Wash sale thirty days beware
Capital gains, learn the game
Tax advantages you can claim

[Bridge]
Collectibles at twenty-eight
Art and coins and precious gold
Unrecaptured twelve fifty gain
Twenty-five percent takes hold
Small business stock qualified
Section twelve oh two's your friend
Hundred times your basis gain
Could be tax-free in the end

[Verse 3]
When your losses exceed your gains
Three thousand you can use each year
Against your ordinary income
Carry forward what's left here
But watch out for the wash sale rule
Ten ninety-one will make you pay
Buy back within thirty days
Your loss gets washed away

[Chorus]
Capital gains, capital pains
Short-term's ordinary, long-term's the key
Hold it more than one whole year
Zero fifteen twenty rates so clear
Three thousand dollars max loss per year
Wash sale thirty days beware
Capital gains, learn the game
Tax advantages you can claim

[Outro]
From twelve twenty-one to QSBS
Know your holding periods well
Capital gains can save you tax
If you learn these rules to tell

← 1 Basis and Amount Realized | 3 Recapture and Characterization →