What is the effect of capital losses on taxable gains?

Capital losses can offset taxable gains, thereby reducing the overall taxable income for an individual or entity. When you sell an asset for less than its purchase price, that loss can be used to counterbalance any capital gains you may have realized from selling other assets at a profit. This offsetting ability is essential in tax planning, as it can lower the amount of taxable income subject to capital gains tax.

For instance, if you have a capital gain of $10,000 from the sale of one asset and a capital loss of $4,000 from another, you can deduct that loss from the gain. This leaves you with a net capital gain of $6,000, which is the amount that would be included in your taxable income. Utilizing capital losses not only minimizes tax liabilities but can also help in planning future investments and tax strategies.

The ability to offset gains with losses is particularly beneficial in managing tax responsibilities, making option C the correct answer as it highlights a key principle of capital gains taxation.