The capital gains tax is a levy you pay when you sell an asset that has increased in value since you bought it. Your capital gains tax rate can be 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on your income and your tax filing status. Certain assets are taxed at different rates depending on what they are and the situation.
In 2017, the U.S. government sought to encourage investors to broaden their horizons by offering tax benefits to those who invest in what they deemed “opportunity zones.” The idea is that, instead of investing directly in low-income communities, the government would use tax law to encourage wealthier individuals and corporations to do so.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) is a congressional revenue act of the United States signed into law by President Donald Trump which amended the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Opportunity Zones are defined as “economically distressed communities where new investments, under certain conditions, may be eligible for preferential tax treatment.” Simply understanding the mechanisms of OZs creates a major barrier to entry for more socially-minded investors.
