REALIZED GAIN

A gain resulting from selling an asset at a price higher than the original purchase price. Realized gain occurs when an asset is disbursed at a level that exceeds its cost of book value. While an asset may be carried on a balance sheet at a level far above cost, any gains while the asset is still being held would be considered unrealized, as the asset is only being valued at a fair market value.

Once an asset that is being held on the books at an unrealized gain is sold for a realized profit, a firm will predictably see an increase in its current assets and a gain from sale. Such a gain may lead to an increased tax burden, since realized gains from sales are typically taxable income. This is one drawback of turning an unrealized "paper" gain into a realized gain.