In the US, the last day you can sell stock and declare a gain or a loss is the last trading day of the year. This means AUMN can still be sold for a tax loss in the US on December 31st., not today.

It is the trade date that matters in the US, not the settlement day.

Apparently this differs from Canada, since gwr posted earlier that today at 1PM was the day, which allows for settlement in 3 days.

However, if you are closing a short sale for a loss in the US, it's the settlement date that counts, not the trade date. But for any gain from closing a short sale it's the trade date, not the settlement. No wonder the tax guys make big bucks sorting all this stuff out.

If AUMN sinks much further before the 31st, I just may take the loss I currently have on my rather small position and apply it against the nice gains I have from other stock sales. It sure would help. Problem is, though, I would have to wait 31 days before I can buy back in, if I want the loss to count, and who knows where AUMN might be by then. Don't laugh. My guess is that I'll still be ahead.

Merry Xmas to all from a very warm southeast Florida. Palm trees and front lawn bushes heavily decorated in colorful Xmas lights and bright ribbons make for a spectacular though unusual night time sight, especially if one has spent most of his life in snowy winters.