> you could subtract the losses instantly from the gains, unlike in the US I'm not sure what you're saying about the US. If you have a capital loss, you can an

> you could subtract the losses instantly from the gains, unlike in the US I'm not sure what you're saying about the US. If you have a capital loss, you can and must offset capital gains in the same year when computing your gross income. The nuance is this: * Capital losses can offset an unlimited amount of capital gains, but only a total of $3,000 of other income per year. * Unused capital losses can only be carried forward into future years. You cannot apply them to income in past years. So if you realize a large gain in year N, then a large loss in year N+1, you still owe the full tax bill from year N. The solution is to set aside cash to pay the IRS instead of risking it all.