capital gains tax

capital gains tax definition - business

capital gains tax

The tax applicable to gains realized from the sale of capital assets, including stocks and bonds. The capital gains tax rate and holding period requirements are periodically changed by Congress. A favorable tax rate is generally applied to realized gains on assets that are sold following a holding period of over one year. Realized capital gains on assets held a year or less do not generally receive favorable tax treatment.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Business Terms Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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