Tax Treatment of Short-Sale Dividends?

[marshg]

Hi:
if I'm short a stock and I have to pay out a dividend, how is that payment treated tax-wise? ie. is it offset against dividends I receive or treated as a short-term loss?
thanks,
Marshall

 

[muller]

oooh I didn't know one has to do that.
File it as an expense, like the commissions you're paying.

 

[SomeYoungGuy]

Quote from muller:

oooh I didn't know one has to do that.
File it as an expense, like the commissions you're paying.

Dammit! I thought I was going to get rich by going both long and short a billion shares. Then just sit back and collect dividends on the long position..