On the way down I was selling one stock at a loss (cheaper than...

On the way down I was selling one stock at a loss (cheaper than I paid for it) to buy another and while the market was falling I sold that one at a loss to buy back the first one. Actually increasing the number held but at the same overall value but with a trading loss in the ledger. The trading losses accumulated and are used to offset capital gains. Trading as a partnership also allows better taxation arrangements.

I learnt long ago that tax is a fact of life. To try and dodge it is not worth the cost or the effort. I just take it into account as a cost of making a profit. Remember the more tax you pay the more profit you have made. Certainly minimise it to the best advantage.