Are you thinking about selling stock shares at a loss to offset gains that you’ve realized during 2020? If so, it’s important to avoid wash sales if selling stock by year-end. IRS may disallow the loss Under this rule, if you sell stock or securities for a loss and buy substantially identical stock or securities back within the 30-day period before or after the sale date, the loss can’t be claimed for tax purposes. The rule is designed to prevent taxpayers from using the tax benefit of a loss without parting with ownership in any significant way. Note that the rule applies to a 30-day period before or after the sale date to prevent “buying the stock back” before it’s even sold. (If you participate in any...