Did the wash sale rule trip you up while doing your taxes? Learn two ways to avoid the wash sale rule.
It’s coming down to the wire for traders to finish their taxes. Did the wash sale rule trip you up again this year? You’re not alone.
The wash sale rule has been confusing traders for a long time. Let’s clear up some of the confusion and look at a couple ways traders can avoid a wash sale.
First, let’s define a wash sale.
Suppose a trader sells XYZ at a loss. If he buys XYZ, or a security related to XYZ, 30 days before or after the day of the sale, the loss is disallowed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Thus, the sale of XYZ and the separate purchase of XYZ (or a substantially identical security) is called a wash sale.
Importantly, the wash sale rule doesn’t prevent the trader from claiming a loss on XYZ. Instead, the loss is deferred until the repurchased shares of XYZ are sold. Then adjustments are made to the cost basis and holding period of the repurchased shares.
Is it any wonder traders get confused by this rule? Let’s walk through a trade example to help clear things up. Suppose that:
Now that you have a better understanding of the wash sale rule, what can you do to avoid triggering it? One approach is known as the double-down strategy. Some traders might use it to recognize a large loss for tax purposes while still holding on to the same stock. It works like this:
The trader can buy another 100 shares of XYZ at $60, wait for 31 days to avoid a wash sale, then sell the first 100 shares purchased at $100 back in June. This lets him recognize the loss and still hold on to XYZ.
But—and this is a big one—doubling the position size in a stock increases risk. This can be particularly risky if the stock already accounts for a large portion of a portfolio. If the stock continues dropping, it could result in bigger losses since the position size is now doubled.
Another strategy traders might use to recognize a loss for tax purposes, avoid the wash sale rule, and still maintain a position in the market is to replace one stock with another. It works like this:
The idea behind the replacement strategy is to maintain exposure to a similar stock while waiting out the 31 days for the wash sale rule to expire. This is acceptable from a tax perspective, but it’s risky from an investing perspective. Tech stock B could go down while the trader is waiting out those 31 days.
When it comes to recognizing a loss for tax purposes while trying to avoid the wash sale rule and simultaneously staying invested, it’s clear there isn’t a clean solution. Weigh the benefits of recognizing the loss against the potential risks of staying invested. If you need help with this analysis, be sure to take advantage of the resources below.
Clients can get answers to tough tax questions on the website, chat virtually in real time, or speak to a Tax Services Representative at 800-669-3900 Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET.
Quick Links
Trade
Invest
Service
TD Ameritrade does not provide tax advice. We suggest you consult with a tax-planning professional with regard to your personal circumstances.
Market volatility, volume, and system availability may delay account access and trade executions.
Past performance of a security or strategy does not guarantee future results or success.
Options are not suitable for all investors as the special risks inherent to options trading may expose investors to potentially rapid and substantial losses. Options trading subject to TD Ameritrade review and approval. Please read Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options before investing in options.
Supporting documentation for any claims, comparisons, statistics, or other technical data will be supplied upon request.
The information is not intended to be investment advice or construed as a recommendation or endorsement of any particular investment or investment strategy, and is for illustrative purposes only. Be sure to understand all risks involved with each strategy, including commission costs, before attempting to place any trade. Clients must consider all relevant risk factors, including their own personal financial situations, before trading.
This is not an offer or solicitation in any jurisdiction where we are not authorized to do business or where such offer or solicitation would be contrary to the local laws and regulations of that jurisdiction, including, but not limited to persons residing in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, UK, and the countries of the European Union.
TD Ameritrade, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. TD Ameritrade is a trademark jointly owned by TD Ameritrade IP Company, Inc. and The Toronto-Dominion Bank. © 2019 TD Ameritrade.