Tax losses happen when an investor buys an income-producing security in an account that is taxable and then subsequently receives one or more of a dividend, long-term capital gain, short-term capital gain, or another type of income distribution. Therefore, multiple tax losses can occur after an investor purchases an income-producing security.
For example, if an investor buys a security and receives a dividend, a short-term capital gain, and a long-term capital gain, the investor will potentially incur a tax loss on the FIRST dividend, the FIRST short-term capital gain, and the FIRST long-term capital gain.
An investor will not incur tax losses on the second distribution received unless the investor makes another purchase.
If an investor purchases a security and then sells that security before they receive any type of income distribution, the investor will not incur a tax loss.
However, the investor who sells their security before the distribution is made could realize a higher tax rate on their income because the income will be reflected in the security value and thus be realized as a capital gain instead of qualified income.