Subject: Re: A very stupid capital loss wash sale question
IOW if I buy a stock that I have never held before, and it goes down, I need to wait >= 31 days to sell it and recognize a capital loss? I think that's what you are saying. For example if I sell it at a loss 15 days after buying then it would be a wash sale?

Yes, if you sell for a loss after 15 days of ownership, it's a wash sale, but that will only matter if you buy again within 30 days after the sale. If you don't the wash sale clears and you take the loss as normal. If you do buy again within 30 days after selling, the sale is a wash sale, but all that means is that the loss is deferred, it's not lost.

Brian