Does the purchase of options (in a stock that was sold at a loss) within 30 days of sale cause a "wash sale"?

I sold an equity stock 3 weeks ago at a loss and would like to purchase options on the same stock now. Does that constitute a "wash sale" and therefore eliminate my ability to take the loss at tax time?

Answers:
Wash sales provisions apply if the taxpayer has, within 30 days either before or after the date of the sale of the securities, acquired or entered into a contract OR OPTION to acquire, substantially identical securities (IRC Sec. 1091(a); Reg. Sec. 1.1091-1). This means that the loss on the sale will be disallowed if the options are acquired within 30 days of the sale. If it has already been three weeks, why not wait until 31 days after the sale to purchase the options? Do you expect a sharp increase in the price in the next 10 days? It may worth the wait to be able to harvest the loss come tax filing time.
Yes, a wash sale includes the purchase of options on the same stock within the 30 day period before or after the loss sale.

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