The “wash sale” rule: Don’t let losses circle the drain
- Details
- Published: Tuesday, 29 April 2025 10:49
- Written by Phillip Strickler, CPA.CITP

Stock, mutual fund and ETF prices have bounced around lately. If you make what turns out to be an ill-fated investment in a taxable brokerage firm account, the good news is that you may be able to harvest a tax-saving capital loss by selling the loser security. However, for federal income tax purposes, the wash sale rule could disallow your hoped-for tax loss.