Capital AssetsAlmost everything you own and use for personal purposes or investment is a capital asset. For exceptions, see Noncapital Assets, later. The following items are examples of capital assets.
Personal-use property. Property held for personal use is a capital asset. Gain from a sale or exchange of that property is a capital gain. Loss from the sale or exchange of that property is not deductible. You can deduct a loss relating to personal-use property only if it results from a casualty or theft. Investment property. Investment property (such as stocks and bonds) is a capital asset, and a gain or loss from its sale or exchange is a capital gain or loss. This treatment does not apply to property used to produce rental income. See Business assets, later, under Noncapital Assets. Release of restriction on land. Amounts you receive for the release of a restrictive covenant in a deed to land are treated as proceeds from the sale of a capital asset. |