Ann: Trading Halt, page-260

Hi SMX

You're right - and I'm no expert, (in fact, I know nothing and no-one should pay any attention to this post, I'm just replying to you - and I'm not suggesting anyone take any notice of anything I say - especially to do with tax planning).

By way of conversation, IMO, here in Australia I think we exist with some of the dumbest tax legislation on earth for investors, in fact it seems to me that people who try to invest in anything are treated like pariahs. Seems to me that if you actually make the mistake of being successful with your investment people seem to be unaware that they'll not only pay tax on any capital gain they made this year they'll also get hit for advance-additional tax in future years by the PAYG system assuming they'll do at least the same the next year.

I've often marvelled at HC posters who seem to be completely oblivious to the tax effect of capital gains - you've seen them. 'If the SP goes to $1 I'll be able to retire and drive around in my new Ferrari' - type posts with, seemingly, no regards to the effect tax will have on their gains.

In contrats, there's no rule that says is that a person MUST leave a tax year with a tax liability.

IMO - sometimes it can make sense to plan ahead and legitimately take a capital gains hit in a tax year and carry it forward - especially if there's every likelihood of being able to make up that loss in the future and especially if they won't have the financial capacity to service the tax-bill when it arrives. Very pertinent these days where income for so many people has stopped and may not return for some time - if ever.

Regardless about any tax-regulations there might be - they'll be able to buy back in the future.

Probably the govermment's money-smart website is a good place to visit for the heads-up HERE

Anyway - as is usual I've no idea what I'm talking about, just making casual conversation, and my original post was just to suggest that tax-planning might be happening right now which might help to account for the current SP demise, (again).

My assumption was based of the sheer volume we've experienced today, (nearly 3.6 million), to get to where we are.

It's fun