Option positions complicate holding periods. If you buy a stock and the same day write covered calls, the holding period is normal. If you write a covered call after the purchase day, the holding period for computing a long-term gain is tolled for the period that the option is on. If you take a loss and buy a call you have a wash sale (the loss is deferred and rolled into the option transaction). If you take a loss in XYZ stock and sell a put on that stock within 30 days, you create a wash sale (the loss is deferred and rolled into the option transaction), and if the put is exercised, you wind up with the higher, rolled up basis in XYZ, and can eventually measure the gain or loss when that position is closed.
If you are "waiting" for the 30 days, you probably want to wait until the 31st day to buy, or if you do not care about wash sale provisions, time it based on market, option, and micro factors. |
