Wash Sale Calculator
Check IRS 30-day rule violations and calculate adjusted basis
Sale Transaction
Repurchase Transaction
Enter Dates
Fill in the transaction dates to check for wash sale
Loss Details
New Cost Basis
61-Day Wash Sale Window
30 Days Before
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Wash sale period starts
Sale Date
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Transaction date
30 Days After
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Wash sale period ends
Safe to Repurchase After:
Wait until this date to avoid wash sale
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When to Use Wash Sale Calculator
Before Tax-Loss Harvesting
Planning to harvest losses for tax purposes? Check if your planned repurchase date triggers a wash sale. Calculate safe dates to buy back the security without losing your tax deduction.
Tax Return Preparation
Filing taxes and need to report wash sales? Calculate disallowed losses and adjusted cost basis for Form 8949. Ensure accurate reporting to avoid IRS issues.
Year-End Trading Review
Review all your trades from the year to identify wash sales. Calculate total disallowed losses and plan January trades to avoid carrying violations into the new tax year.
Active Trading Strategy
Trade the same stocks frequently? Track your transactions to avoid accidental wash sales. Know exactly when you can safely repurchase after selling at a loss.
IRA and Taxable Account Coordination
Sold at a loss in your taxable account? Check if IRA purchases within 30 days trigger wash sales. The rule applies across all your accounts including retirement accounts.
Spouse Trading Coordination
Your spouse trades too? Wash sales apply if they buy what you sold at a loss. Coordinate household trades to avoid unexpected wash sale violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the wash sale rule?
The wash sale rule prevents you from claiming a tax loss if you sell a security at a loss and buy substantially identical securities within 30 days before or after the sale. This creates a 61-day window (30 days before + sale day + 30 days after). The loss is disallowed but added to the cost basis of the replacement shares.
How do I use the wash sale calculator?
Enter your sale date, sale price, original cost basis, and repurchase date. The calculator determines if you violated the 30-day rule, calculates your disallowed loss, and shows the adjusted cost basis for the new shares. It also displays the safe dates when you can repurchase without triggering a wash sale.
What happens if I trigger a wash sale?
Your loss is disallowed for the current tax year - you can't use it to offset gains or reduce taxable income. However, the disallowed loss is added to the cost basis of the replacement shares, which reduces your gain (or increases your loss) when you eventually sell them. The holding period also carries over.
Is this wash sale calculator free?
Yes! Our wash sale calculator is completely free with unlimited calculations. No registration required. Use it to check trades before executing them or to calculate wash sales for tax reporting. Always consult a tax professional for official advice.
What securities are subject to the wash sale rule?
The rule applies to stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, and options on these securities. It also applies if your spouse or IRA buys substantially identical securities. Currently, cryptocurrency is NOT subject to wash sale rules, but this may change with future legislation.
What does substantially identical mean?
Generally, buying the exact same stock or security is substantially identical. Stocks of different companies are usually not identical. However, preferred and common stock of the same company might be, depending on conversion rights and other factors. Options and the underlying stock can also be substantially identical.
How can I avoid wash sales?
Wait at least 31 days after selling before repurchasing the same security. Alternatively, buy a similar but not identical security (like a different company in the same sector or a different ETF tracking the same index). You can also sell enough shares to offset the repurchase amount.
Does the wash sale rule affect tax-loss harvesting?
Yes, you must follow the 30-day rule when tax-loss harvesting. Sell losing positions and wait 31 days before repurchasing, or immediately buy a similar (but not identical) security to maintain market exposure. Many investors harvest losses in December and wait until February to repurchase.
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