Stock FAQs

when you sell one stock for another, how do you account for it in your excel sheet bogleheads

by Golda McClure Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Can I Sell my stock to buy another stock?

This is done at the current market price if you need to sell for the money, and you don’t have to consider much else. On the other hand, if you want to sell your stock to buy another stock or if you want to trade one stock in order to make an investment in another stock, there are several things to consider. 1. Are you a trader or an investor?

How do you account for the money you get from selling stock?

You'll need to account for the money you get from selling stock and related expenses to comply with tax regulations and to track your investment portfolio. One of the first things to account for when you sell stock is the cost basis of the shares you decide to sell. The cost basis refers to what it cost to acquire the stock.

How do you calculate the cost of selling stock?

In most cases this is the original purchase price. If you sell only a portion of your shares in a company, you need to multiply the total cost basis for the stock by the portion you're selling now. For example, selling half of the shares you currently own in a company, when your total original cost for all of the shares was $1,000,...

Where is the cost of buying back stock listed on balance sheet?

Under this approach, the cost at which shares are bought back is listed in a treasury stock account, which is reported in the stockholders' equity section of the balance sheet as a deduction (this is a contra equity account).

What happens to treasury stock when it is sold above its cost?

If the treasury stock is sold above its cost, the sale increases (debits) cash for the proceeds received, decreases (credits) treasury stock for the cost paid when the treasury stock was repurchased , and increases (credits) additional paid‐in‐capital—treasury stock for the difference between the selling price and the repurchase price.

What happens if the stock's market value is not yet determined?

If the stock's market value is not yet determined (as would occur when a company is just starting), the fair market value of the assets or services received is used to value the transaction. If the total value exceeds the par or stated value of the stock issued, the value in excess of the par or stated value is added to ...

Why do companies buy treasury stock?

Companies purchase treasury stock if shares are needed for employee compensation plans or to acquire another company, and to reduce the number of outstanding shares because the stock is considered a good buy. Purchasing treasury stock may stimulate trading, and without changing net income, will increase earnings per share. ...

What is the cost principle of stock?

If corporations issue stock in exchange for assets or as payment for services rendered, a value must be assigned using the cost principle. The cost of an asset received in exchange for a corporation's stock is the market value of the stock issued. If the stock's market value is not yet determined (as would occur when a company is just starting), ...

Is a corporation's stock considered an asset?

As a corporation cannot be its own shareholder, any shares purchased by the corporation are not considered assets of the corporation. Assuming the corporation plans to re‐issue the shares in the future, the shares are held in treasury and reported as a reduction in stockholders' equity in the balance sheet.

Does purchasing treasury stock increase earnings?

Purchasing treasury stock may stimulate trading, and without changing net income, will increase earnings per share. The cost method of accounting for treasury stock records the amount paid to repurchase stock as an increase (debit) to treasury stock and a decrease (credit) to cash. The treasury stock account is a contra account to ...

How to calculate tax liability for selling stock?

To calculate your tax liability for selling stock, first determine your profit. If you held the stock for less than a year, multiply by your marginal tax rate. If you held it for more than a year, multiply by the capital gain rate percentage in the table above. But what if the profits from your long-term stock sales push your income ...

How to avoid paying taxes on stock sales?

How to avoid paying taxes when you sell stock. One way to avoid paying taxes on stock sales is to sell your shares at a loss. While losing money certainly isn't ideal, at least losses you incur from selling stocks can be used to offset any profits you made from selling other stocks during the year.

How much capital gains tax do you pay on stock in 2020?

Let's say you make $50,000 of ordinary taxable income in 2020 and you sell $100,000 worth of stock that you've held for more than a year. You'll pay taxes on your ordinary income first and then pay a 0% capital gains rate on the first $28,750 in gains because that portion of your total income is below $78,750. The remaining $71,250 of gains are taxed at the 15% tax rate.

How long do you have to hold stock before selling?

If you held your shares for longer than one year before selling them, the profits will be taxed at the lower long-term capital gains rate. Both short-term and long-term capital gains tax rates are determined by your overall taxable income. Your short-term capital gains are taxed at the same rate as your marginal tax rate (tax bracket).

Can you deduct a wash sale?

If you repurchase the same or "substantially similar" stocks within 30 days of the initial sale, it counts as a "wash sale" and can't be deducted.

What happens to stock when it appreciates?

When stock appreciates, even just due to inflation, it accumulates unrealized capital gains. You pay the capital gains tax when you sell. The capital gains tax can hit investors hard. If the government causes 4.5% inflation, taxpayers in the 23.8% capital gains tax bracket have to earn at least 9.24% for 10 years just to maintain ...

How long does a Stanley exchange fund need to run?

The exchange fund also needs to run for at least seven years before Stanley can sell any of the investments in the fund.

What is Stanley's method of diversification?

With the share exchange, Stanley can diversify his investments while delaying the realization of any capital gains. He exchanges stock in a single highly volatile company for a collection of roughly diversified assets.

How much does Stanley face in taxes?

Now his stock faces almost $1.2 million in capital gains taxes if he decides to sell. Stanley can join a fund created specifically to assist investors with highly appreciated stock.

Can stockholders diversify their portfolios without paying capital gains tax?

Stockholders can diversify their portfolios without paying any capital gains tax. It is normally an expensive service. For average investors, this is an option they never need to explore. Consider Stanley, an investor with $5 million in a single publicly traded company.

Does selling stock at a profit pay capital gains tax?

Selling stock at a profit generates capital gains taxes. If you have a large amount of a single stock and want to diversify, a swap fund allows you to do that without incurring this tax. Much of the capital gains tax is simply paying tax on government-induced inflation. Every month, until it finally stopped this fall, ...

What to do before selling a stock?

Before you sell your stock, consider your reasons for selling it. Be sure you’re not acting on impulse because of an adverse market move, especially if you’ll incur a loss. Remind yourself of the reasons you purchased the stock in the first place. Be patient and try to research why the adverse move occurred.

What to do after you transfer stock to trading account?

After you have transferred your stock into a trading account, you can then choose a price level and place a sell order for your stock or just sell it at the market.

How to sell stock certificates?

In order to sell stocks in certificate form, you must take them to a licensed broker/dealer to sell for you.

How to day trade stock?

Make sure the broker you select allows you to trade how you want. If you’re going to be day trading, pick a broker known for speed. If you’re a beginner, start with a broker with great resources an educational tools. Make your sale. Use your brokerage to set your sale price and begin selling your stock. Contents.

What is a sell stop order?

A sell stop order triggers an execution once the stock reaches a certain price below the prevailing market, known as the stop price. Upon the market reaching and trading at the stop price, the sell stop order then becomes a market order to sell the stock at the best available price. Trailing sell stop order.

What is market sell order?

Market sell order. This type of order allows you to sell the stock immediately and it guarantees that the order will be executed without specifying the price of execution. Market orders typically get filled at or near the bid price when selling stock, just as they are filled near the offer price when buying.

Can you put a contingency on an AON order?

In addition to the type of order you have entered to sell stock, you can also put a contingency on your order. All or none (AON): This contingency specifies that the sell order must be filled in its entirety or not at all. Partial execution cannot take place on an AON order.

What happens if your stop price is $38?

If your stop price is $38, your order will execute as a market order if the stock price falls to $38 or less. The risk: You could sell for less than your stop price — there is no floor. Also, a temporary drop in price may trigger a sale when you don’t want it to.

What happens if you set a limit price?

If your limit order is for $41, your order will execute only if the stock trades at or above $41. The risk: You could end up not selling if the stock never rises to your limit price.

Does NerdWallet offer brokerage?

NerdWallet does not offer advisory or brokerage services, nor does it recommend or advise investors to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. Much is made about buying stocks; investors tend to put far less thought into how to sell them. That’s a mistake, as the sale is when the money is made.

What is stock accounting?

Stock Accounting refers to recording the transaction entered into by the business enterprise from the point of investments made by anyone i.e. whether a body corporate or individual in the company in exchange of issue of something in return which could be easily traded in the open market.

Why is proper accounting of stock important?

The Lenders and the management as well need to analyze the financial position of an entity before taking any decision, the proper accounting of stock helps in analyzing the amount which the company has raised by way of stock issuance.

What is a stock certificate?

Stock Certificate Stock Certificate, also called a Share Certificate, is a legal document evidencing the ownership of stocks in a Company, including details like the stockholder’s name, issuing date, the total number of stocks issued, identification number, and the corporate seal & sign. read more. is known as Stock Accounting.

How many entries do you need to list when selling stock?

For example, if you sell 1,000 shares that you bought in four different purchases, you must list four entries on your tax forms. The IRS allows you to identify the shares you want to sell ...

How to keep records when buying stock?

Keep accurate records. When you buy a stock, your broker must send you a form showing relevant information about the trade, including the date of purchase, the number of shares you bought and the price you paid.

What is first in first out accounting?

Otherwise, the IRS requires "first-in, first-out" accounting, meaning the first shares you sold are the first ones you acquired.

Can you have multiple purchase prices?

If you have multiple purchase prices, you'll just have to treat your sales as if you made them individually, rather than all at once. As a result, you may have both gains and losses on a stock, even if you only made a single sale. Ultimately, you'll match up those individual gains and losses to come up with one total net gain or loss figure on your ...

Can you buy stock at two different times?

Buying stock at two different times doesn't fundamentally change how you'll account for your gains. Any time you calculate capital gains and losses, you match up your purchase price with your sales price. If you have multiple purchase prices, you'll just have to treat your sales as if you made them individually, rather than all at once.

The Sale of Stock for Cash

The structure of a journal entry for the cash sale of stock depends upon the existence and size of any par value. Par value is the legal capital per share, and is printed on the face of the stock certificate.

Stock Issued in Exchange for Non-Cash Assets or Services

If a company issues stock in exchange for non-cash assets or services received, then it uses the following decision process to assign a value to the shares:

The Repurchase of Stock (Treasury Stock)

Treasury stock arises when the board of directors elects to have a company buy back shares from shareholders. This purchase reduces the amount of outstanding stock on the open market.

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