Steve and Jennifer are in the 33% tax bracket for ordinary income and the 15% bracket for capital gains. They have owned several blocks of stock for many years. They are considering the sale of two blocks of stock. The sale of one would produce a gain of $12,000 while the sale of the other would produce a loss of $18,000. For purposes of this problem, ignore personal exemptions, itemized deductions, phase-outs and additional investment taxes. They have no other gains and losses this year.
a. How much tax will they save if they sell the block of stock that produces a loss?
b. How much additional tax will they pay if they sell the block of stock that produces a gain?
c. What will be the impact on their taxes if they sell both blocks of stock?