realized loss

Recognized Loss

In accounting, the sale of an investment or asset for less than the purchase price. Individuals and companies may use recognized losses to offset taxable income from other gains. For example, if a company has $5,000 in capital gains in a given year and $2,500 in recognized losses, its taxable income on the capital gains is only $2,500. Recognized losses can also be applied to future years. For example, if a company has no taxable income in a given year, recognized losses may offset taxes on profits for up to a certain number of years. See also: Future income taxes.

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realized loss

The amount by which an investment's acquisition cost exceeds the net proceeds from its sale. A realized loss, as opposed to a paper loss, may be used to reduce taxable income. Compare unrealized loss.

Wall Street Words: An A to Z Guide to Investment Terms for Today's Investor by David L. Scott. Copyright © 2003 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. All rights reserved.