> I don't understand why the average person ever pays short-term capital gains tax.
Because the risk of holding the stock is more than the difference in short vs long term capital gains.
If the stock is worth $1000 in gains, I know I can sell it and lock in the gains today and pay my normal income rate. If I have to hold it for another 6 months, there is a huge risk that it drops more than the 5-10% difference in the tax rate for the average person.
Because the risk of holding the stock is more than the difference in short vs long term capital gains.
If the stock is worth $1000 in gains, I know I can sell it and lock in the gains today and pay my normal income rate. If I have to hold it for another 6 months, there is a huge risk that it drops more than the 5-10% difference in the tax rate for the average person.