Non-PRO English to French Law/Patents Law: Taxation & Customs capital gains tax

Basis is the amount that may be deducted in calculating the gain or loss realised from selling an asset. Usually, this is the cost of the asset to the seller, or "cost basis". If I pay $200 for shares and sell them for $300, the $200 is my cost basis (in the U.K., it would be my "base cost"). If my property was depreciable (or entitled to capital allowances), my cost basis would be adjusted downward by the depreciation or capital allowances - in the U.S., this is the "adjusted cost basis".