Specific-Shares Method
Definition of 'Specific-Shares Method'A personal financial accounting method that, when used properly, can help reduce capital gains realized for an investor who purchased multiple sets of a stock or mutual fund. In turn, the investor's total tax paid in a given tax year is also reduced. In order to use the specific-shares method, the investor needs to keep careful records - particularly the cost basis - of each stock or mutual fund purchase. Then he/she must provide detailed information on which particular shares are to be sold to the broker managing the investor's account. |
|
Investopedia explains 'Specific-Shares Method'Here's an example:An investor purchases 50 shares of Company XYZ at a price of $30 per share on June 15, 2001. A year later, the shares of Company XYZ have depreciated in value to $10 per share, so the investor decides to purchase 60 more shares. Two years after that, the value of Company XYZ shares have appreciated in price to $90 per share. The investor decides to sell 50 of her shares and realize a profit, but still hold onto the rest as she expects Company XYZ shares to continue to rising in price. Using the specific-shares method to minimize the gains realized on her sale of XYZ, the investor calls her broker and asks him specifically to sell the 50 shares of Company XYZ that were purchased on June 15, 2001. These shares were more expensive, so the capital gain realization is minimized: the cost basis of these shares is $1,500 ($30*50 shares), so the investor realizes a capital gain of $3,000 ($90*50 shares - $1,500). If the investor had sold 50 of the shares she purchased at $10 per share - which would have a cost basis of $500 ($10*50), she would be liable for a capital gain of $4,000 ($90*50 - $500). |
Related Definitions
Articles Of Interest
-
Tax Tips For The Individual Investor
We give you seven guidelines to help you keep more of your money in your pocket. -
Selling Losing Securities For A Tax Advantage
Tax-loss harvesting can help you to reduce taxes on your portfolio gains, but make sure you know the rules! -
Depreciation: Straight-Line Vs. Double-Declining Methods
Appreciate the different methods used to describe how book value is "used up". -
Women: Invest In Your Financial Literacy
Learning about money may seem intimidating, but it's not as hard as it looks. -
4 Behavioral Biases And How To Avoid Them
Here are four common common behavioral biases for traders and how to minimize their effects on your portoflio. -
Financial Statement: Extraordinary Vs. Nonrecurring Items
When it comes to analyzing a company, successful analysts spend considerable time differentiating between accounting items that are likely to recur going forward from those that most likely will ... -
Get A Career In Showbiz Accounting
An accounting career doesn't have to be boring. If you love numbers, but want excitement as well, consider the field of showbiz accounting. -
What Management Accountants Do
If you like keeping track of a company's income and expenses but also want to hold a position with significant responsibility and authority, management accounting could be the job for you. -
Mutual Fund Ratings: Crucial or Insignificant?
Mutual fund ratings can help investors, but they have their drawbacks as well. -
Multi-Asset Funds Or Your Own Mix?
The underlying concept of mixed funds is very appealing. Discover if you're better off with professional management or creating a mixed fund of your own.
Free Annual Reports