The payment of pre-college tuition is not tax deductible. However, if you pay the tuition directly to the school, the payment is not subject to gift tax, regardless of the cost of tuition.
The difference between amount realized and adjusted basis on the sale or exchange of capital assets. Long-term capital gains are taxed favorably. Capital losses are deducted first against capital gains, and then again up to $3,000 of other income.