Post #4454 by elann on the Mechanical Investing board

Investment Strategies / Mechanical Investing

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Actually, that doesn't matter.

When you file your taxes, loses and gains are combined and you are left with just the net gain or loss and net sort-term or long-term.

Sort term loss of $1000 and a long term gain of $1100 = net $100 long term gain.
Sort term loss of $1100 and a long term gain of $1000 = net $100 short term loss.

It does matter, just not as much as most people would think. Throughout most of the year you cannot predict whether you'll end the year with a net gain or a net loss. So it's best to do what Jamie suggested. If you end up with a net gain, it's likely to be taxed at the long term rate. And if you end up with a net loss, it's likely to be deducted at the short term rate.

Elan

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