percentages - 4:27 am on Oct 2, 2004 (gmt 0)

I don't believe you ever own a domain name, only a right to use it.

However, I also don't believe you ever really own stock in a company unless you are the majority shareholder (50%+).

If stock holding can be written off as a capital loss/gain, then I don't see why the same couldn't be argued for domain names.

A domain name is not IMHO "real property", neither is stock in a company for most people.

I can't find an IRS ruling on this subject, and I doubt the IRS want to "get into it" right now.

My very non-legal advice would be to treat it as a capital gain if you so desire, and let someone else prove otherwise!