Capital Gains Formula:
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Capital gains calculation determines the profit or loss from selling an investment, such as stocks. It's calculated by subtracting the purchase price and associated fees from the selling price.
The calculator uses the capital gains formula:
Where:
Explanation: This simple calculation helps investors understand their actual profit or loss from stock transactions after accounting for all costs.
Details: Accurate capital gains calculation is essential for tax reporting, investment performance analysis, and making informed trading decisions.
Tips: Enter the sell price, buy price, and any associated fees in dollars. All values must be non-negative numbers.
Q1: Are fees always deducted from gains?
A: Yes, transaction fees and commissions are considered part of the cost basis and should be subtracted to calculate net gain.
Q2: What if the result is negative?
A: A negative result indicates a capital loss, which may be used to offset other capital gains for tax purposes.
Q3: Does this calculator account for taxes?
A: No, this calculates pre-tax gains. Tax implications depend on your jurisdiction and holding period.
Q4: Should I include dividend reinvestment?
A: For accurate cost basis calculation, reinvested dividends should be added to your original purchase price.
Q5: How does holding period affect gains?
A: Holding period determines whether gains are classified as short-term or long-term, which affects tax rates in many countries.