Capital Gains Tax

Capital gains taxes pose a host of technical and political design problems and yet, while the literature on the theory of capital gains taxation is substantial, little has been published on how governments have addressed these dilemmas. Written by a team of distinguished international experts, Capital Gains Taxation addresses the gap in the literature; it explains how a number of countries tax capital gains and the successes and pitfalls of these methods. Examining key issues in the theory and practice of capital gains taxation in a general context, this book also provides a detailed analysis of the tax systems of Australia, Canada, China, India, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, the UK and the US. It questions whether capital gains should be taxed in the same way as ordinary income, considers the rate at which they ought to be taxed, if indeed they should be at all, and compares the taxation on realisation of capital gains versus on an accruals basis. Eloquent and astute, Capital Gains Taxation will be a crucial point of reference for students and scholars of tax law and policy. Its pragmatic approach will also benefit tax practitioners, policy-makers and tax authorities. Contributors include: R. Avi-Yonah, P. Baker, M. Bowler-Smith, D. Duff, C. Elliffe, S. Griffiths, E.C.C.M. Kemmeren, M. Littlewood, A. O'Connell, J. Roeleveld, D.P. Sengupta, D. White, Y. Xu, D. Zelik

A complete, authoritative guide to taxation of stocks, mutual funds and market-traded stock options.

This report investigates policy considerations in the taxation of capital gains of individuals and design features of capital gains tax systems.

Few issues in tax policy are as divisive as the capital gains tax. Should capital gains--the increase in value of assets such as stocks or businesses--be taxed at all? If so, when should they be taxed--when they are earned, or when they are realized? Should taxes be adjusted for inflation? And should gains be taxed at both the individual and corporate levels? In this book, Leonard Burman cuts through the political rhetoric to present the facts about capital gains. He begins by explaining the complex rules that govern the taxation of capital gains, examines the kinds of assets that produce them, and the factors that can lead to gains or losses. He then reviews the effects of capital gains taxation on saving and investment and considers the arguments for and against indexing capital gains taxes for inflation, as well as other options for altering the current system.

This work is designed to meet the needs of attorneys, accountants, tax consultants, investment advisers, and other professionals. The manual explains, in depth and in detail, the conceptual basis and the practical implications of capital gains tax.

"From adjusted gross income to zoning and property taxes, the second edition of The Encyclopedia of Taxation and Tax Policy offers the best and most complete guide to taxes and tax-related issues. More than 150 tax practitioners and administrators, policymakers, and academics have contributed. The result is a unique and authoritative reference that examines virtually all tax instruments used by governments (individual income, corporate income, sales and value-added, property, estate and gift, franchise, poll, and many variants of these taxes), as well as characteristics of a good tax system, budgetary issues, and many current federal, state, local, and international tax policy issues. The new edition has been completely revised, with 40 new topics and 200 articles reflecting six years of legislative changes. Each essay provides the generalist with a quick and reliable introduction to many topics but also gives tax specialists the benefit of other experts' best thinking, in a manner that makes the complex understandable. Reference lists point the reader to additional sources of information for each topic. The first edition of The Encyclopedia of Taxation and Tax Policy was selected as an Outstanding Academic Book of the Year (1999) by Choice magazine."--Publisher's website.