Now is the time to act smart, so that you can cut down your taxes by ensuring your basis on your
investments is correct. Pauline, an entrepreneur who had just invested in her own startup, was
aware of this. She knows that following the tricks of the trade now may help in cutting down on
taxes at the end of the budget year. So, here’s the lowdown on getting it right; to your benefit.

Did you buy property for your business last year? Did you sell stocks or mutual funds? Did you
receive an inheritance? Did someone gift you a car, house, stock, or any asset other than cash? In
all these events, your total costs, investment or inheritance in assets is known as basis that can
affect your tax return.

For instance, if you bought a copy machine for your business and began to use it in the year, the
amount of depreciation you can deduct depends on your basis. In this case, the basis can affect
future year returns since depreciation may be spread over the life of the equipment. Sell the
copier before it’s totally depreciated, and the remaining basis affects the gain or loss you report
on your return.

This proves that basis is important, but how do you prove it? The answer depends on the way
you get the property. For business assets, such as a copy machine, the basis is usually what you
pay for it, including sales tax and freight. For stocks, the purchase is your cost-plus commissions.
Mutual fund purchases can be more difficult to calculate because you report dividends and
capital gains, but often dividends and capital gains are simply put back into the mutual fund.

Reinvestments in mutual funds will increase your basis If someone gifts assets to you (not
inherited), then your basis, in that asset, is what the donor paid for it. Property you inherit is
typically valued at Fair Market Value (FMV), at the date of death, of the donor. This amount,
which is reported to you by the personal representative or trustee of an estate, is the basis you
will use when you sell or dispose of the property (like Mom’s house or Dad’s car or furniture).

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has some great points on how to address capital gains and
losses. When you sell a ’capital asset,’ the sale usually results in a capital gain or loss. A ‘capital
asset’ includes most property you own and use for personal or investment purposes.

Here are 10 facts from the IRS on capital gains and losses:

1. Capital assets include property such as your home or car. They also include investment
property such as stocks and bonds.

2. A capital gain or loss is the difference between your basis and the amount you get when you
sell an asset. Your basis is usually what you paid for the assets.

3. You must include all capital gains in your income. Since 2013, you may be subject to the Net
Investment Income Tax (NIIT). The NIIT applies at a rate of 3.8% to certain net investment
income of individuals, estates, and trusts that have income above statutory threshold
amounts.

4. You can deduct capital losses on the sale of investment property. You can’t deduct losses on
the sale of personal-use property, like your house, car, or furniture, etc.

5. Capital gains and losses are either long-term or short-term, depending on how long you held
the property. If you held the property for more than one year, your gain or loss is long-term.
If you held it for one year or less, the gain or loss is short-term.

6. If your long-term gains are more than your long-term losses, the difference between the two
is a net long-term capital gain. If your net long-term capital gain is more than your net short-
term capital loss, you have a ‘net capital gain’.

7. The tax rates that apply to net capital gains will usually depend on your income. For lower-
income individuals, the rate may be zero percent on some or all their net capital gains. In
2013, the maximum net capital gain tax rate increased from 15 to 20 percent, depending on
your income. A 25 or 28 percent tax rate can also apply to special types of net capital gains.

8. If your capital losses are more than your capital gains, you can deduct the difference as a loss
on your tax return. This type of loss is known as a Net Capital Loss. This Net Capital Loss is
limited to $3,000 per year, or $1,500 if you are married and file a separate return.

9. If your total net capital loss is more than the limit you can deduct, you can carry over the
excess losses you are not able to deduct to next year’s tax return. You will treat those losses
as if they happened that year.

10. You must file Form 8949, Sales and Other Dispositions of Capital Assets, with your federal
tax return to report your gains and losses. You also need to file Schedule D, Capital Gains
and Losses with your return.

Here are some points to remember:

Basis is defined in numerous ways. It is either what you paid for assets or what others paid
for it, if gifted to you. But the basis is stepped up to Fair Market Value, FMV, if inherited.

Basis is important to figure out gain or loss when you sell or dispose of something.

The higher your basis, the lower your capital gain (thus the lower your taxes)

Mutual fund basis increases as capital gains and dividends are reported if they are reinvested
(add each year to your mutual fund cost). Now, brokerage houses keep this information for
you, even if you transfer or move your investments to another brokerage firm.

Reduce your capital gains tax by keeping track of your basis. Keep an annual log of what you
pay for something plus what you reinvest. If you are gifted or inherit assets, then get a basis
value from either the estate or the one who gifted it to you.

Call today, don’t delay! See how this affects you. We can be reached at 602-264-9331 and on all social media under azmoneyguy.

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