Answer to Question #43363 in Management for Seth Morgan

Question

In early 2011, Ben sold a yacht, held for 9 months and for pleasure, for a $5,000 gain. Concerned about offsetting the gain before year-end, Ben is considering selling one of the following, each of which would yield a $5,000 loss:

I. A houseboat used for recreation

II. A truck used in a business

III. A stock investment held for 13 months

Evaluate each choice. Which is the best option for tax purposes? Why?

Answer 1

The best option for tax purposes will be a stock investment held for 13 months, because this asset is not very important
in production and will not need to pay taxes from the operation.