Question

Carol and Dave each purchase 100 shares of stock of Burgundy, Inc., a publicly owned corporation, in July for $10,000 each. Carol sells her stock on December 31 for $8,000. Because Burgundy's stock is listed on a national exchange, Dave is able to ascertain that his shares are worth $8,000 on December 31. Does the tax law treat the decline in value of the stock differently for Carol and Dave?

a. They are treated the same as both experienced a decline in stock value that is considered a realization event.
b. They are treated differently because the loss in value of Carol's stock is the result of a sale, while the loss in value of Dave's stock is simply a decline in value.
c. They are treated the same because Carol and Dave have a decline in fair market value, which is considered the relevant factor.

Answer 1

b. They are treated differently because the loss in value of Carol's stock is the result of a sale, while the loss in value of Dave's stock is simply a decline in value.

Step-by-step explanation:

Although the stock owned by Carol and by Dave declines in value by $2,000, however Carol only has a realized and recognized loss of $2,000. The main factor in determining whether a disposition has taken place often whether an identifiable event has occurred. In the current scenario, Carol’s stock sale qualifies as a disposition and the Dave’s stock value decline does not qualify as a disposition and is simply a decline in value.