Capital profit-Meaning,Tax Consequences of Capital Gains and Losses, Capital Gains Distributions by Mutual Funds (Commerce Achiever),

Capital gain is an increase in a capital asset’s value. It is considered to be realized when you sell the asset. A capital gain may be short-term (one year or less) or long-term (more than one year) and must be claimed on income taxes. Understanding this distinction and factoring it into investment strategy is particularly important for day traders and others taking advantage of the greater ease of trading in the market online.

While capital gains are generally associated with stocks and funds due to their inherent price volatility, a capital gain can occur on any security that is sold for a price higher than the purchase price that was paid for it. Realized capital gains and losses occur when an asset is sold, which triggers a taxable event. Unrealized gains and losses, sometimes referred to as paper gains and losses, reflect an increase or decrease in an investment’s value but have not yet triggered a taxable event.

A capital loss is incurred when there is a decrease in the capital asset value compared to an asset’s purchase price.

Tax Consequences of Capital Gains and Losses

Tax-conscious mutual fund investors should determine a mutual fund’s unrealized accumulated capital gains, which are expressed as a percentage of its net assets, before investing in a fund with a significant unrealized capital gain component. This circumstance is referred to as a fund’s capital gains exposure. When distributed by a fund, capital gains are a taxable obligation for the fund’s investors.

Capital Gains Distributions by Mutual Funds

Mutual funds that have accumulated realized capital gains throughout the course of the year must distribute those gains to shareholders.4 Many mutual funds distribute capital gains right before the end of the calendar year.

Shareholders of record as of the fund’s ex-dividend date receive the fund’s capital gains distribution. Individuals receiving the distribution get a 1099-DIV form detailing the amount of the capital gain distribution and how much is considered short-term and long-term. When a mutual fund makes a capital gain or dividend distribution, the net asset value (NAV) drops by the amount of the distribution. A capital gains distribution does not impact the fund’s total return.