When you sell stocks where does the money go?

When you sell your stocks, the two sides to the trade — you the seller and the buyer — must each fulfil his side of the deal. You must deliver the stock shares and the buyer must give the money to pay for the shares to his broker.

What happens when you sell a stock?

Generally speaking, if you held your shares for one year or less, then profits from the sale will be taxed as short-term capital gains. If you held your shares for more than one year before selling them, the profits will be taxed at the lower long-term capital gains rate.