Considerations
If you have purchased stocks during the year, but have not sold anything, resulting in no gains or losses, it is likely that you can find losses of $3,000 in your portfolio. The IRS allows investors to recognize a $3,000 trading loss, which for the average investor in the 28% tax bracket, amounts to a tax savings of $840. Look at the 'Unrealized Views' in your portfolio to identify the securities that make up your unrealized losses.