TAX LOSS SELLING

In Canada, tax loss selling is a common tax planning strategy that involves selling securities that have decreased in value in order to offset capital gains and reduce tax liability. The idea is to sell investments that have lost value, called “tax losses,” in order to offset capital gains that have been realized in the same year or carried forward from a previous year.

For example, if an investor has realized a capital gain of $10,000 from the sale of a security, they may choose to sell another security that has lost value in order to offset that gain. If the loss on the second security is $10,000, the investor can use it to cancel out the capital gain and reduce their tax liability.

There are some rules and restrictions to consider when engaging in tax loss selling in Canada. For instance, losses can only be claimed on securities that are listed on a recognized exchange, such as the Toronto Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ. Additionally, losses can only be claimed on securities that are sold, not on those that are held.

It is important to note that tax loss selling is a complex area of tax planning and it is advisable to seek the advice of a financial professional or tax advisor before making any decisions. They can help you understand the potential benefits and risks of tax loss selling and how it may fit into your overall tax strategy.