Capital Gains Maze

One catch:

Keydate:

If your accountant charges by thehour, just figuring out Schedule D (ie,the tax form used to declare any capitalgains and losses) probably cost you abundle this year. IRS officials arealready bracing for a boatload of mistakeson Schedule D. Somelong-term profits were eligible for asmaller tax bite; the trick was knowingwhich were and which weren't. If you realized long-term capitalgains before May 5, 2003, you paid ahigher tax rate on gains than on assetsyou sold after that date. Next year,Schedule D promises to be slightly easier,but good organization can make iteven more so. Promise yourself thatyou'll keep better records this year andhave them in good shape when youhand them to your accountant.