Question

In July, a customer invested $10,000 in the ABC Mutual Fund. In December of the same year, ABC announced a long-term capital gains distribution. In May of the next year, the customer decided to redeem his shares for a capital gain. How are both of the capital gains treated for tax purposes

Answer 1

Capital gains distribution is treated as long term

Capital gain from from redemption is treated as short term

Explanation: Capital gains may be explained as the profit made from the sale of a property or investment. Depending on the holding duration of the stock or bond, a capital gain may be classed as short term is held for below one year or long-term, of held for more than 1 year. However, According to the Internal Revenue service regulation, Capital gains are taxed as long term irrespective of the holding period in which the owner has possessed the fund.

Capital gains redemption however, follows the usual time-line and in this case would be taxed as short-term because the holding period is between July to May, which is a 10 months. Since it hasn't exceeded a year, then, it is classed as short term.