Drake, Saunders & Diwinsky, Ltd. A Retirement Planning Company - Mutual Fund Profits : Article: Mutual Fund Profits

How Can I Keep More of My Mutual Fund Profits?

Provisions in the tax law allow you to pay lower capital gains taxes on the sale of assets held more than one year. The maximum long-term capital gains tax rate is currently 15% (0% for individuals in the 10% and 15% tax brackets). Short-term gains — those resulting from the sale of assets held for one year or less — are still taxed at your highest marginal income tax rate.

This means that if you’ve been buying shares in a stock or mutual funds over the years and are considering selling part of your holdings, your tax liability could be significantly affected by the timing of your sale.

The main pitfall for most investors is the IRS “first-in, first-out” policy. Simply stated, this means the IRS assumes that the first shares you sell are the first shares you purchased. Thus, the first shares in become the first shares out. As a result, if the value of your shares has appreciated, more of the money you receive from the sale will be considered to be taxable as a capital gain.

Fortunately, there is an alternative. When you place a sell order, instruct your broker or mutual fund transfer agent to sell those shares that you purchased for the highest amount of money. This will reduce the percentage of the proceeds of the sale that can be considered capital gain and are therefore taxable.

In order for this strategy to work, you must specify exactly which shares you are selling and when they were originally purchased. Ask your broker to send you a transaction confirmation that identifies by purchase date the shares you want to trade. This will enable you to reduce your taxable gain and maximize your deductible losses when you fill out your tax return.

In some cases, you may be better off selling the first shares you purchased, even if this results in a larger gain. If the first shares are subject to the 15 percent long-term capital gains rate, but the recently purchased shares are subject to the higher short-term rate, the correct choice may not be obvious. Always consult a tax professional.

Some transfer agents for no-load mutual funds will not go through the trouble of isolating the shares you want to sell by purchase date. This doesn’t necessarily mean you are stuck with the first-in, first-out computation.

By carefully reviewing your brokerage statements, you can determine which shares you paid the most for. You can then specify exactly which shares you’d like to sell. A word to the wise: Make this request in writing. If the IRS calls the transaction into question, the burden of proof is on you.

Finally, the IRS also allows you to calculate your tax basis by taking the average cost of all your shares. On an appreciating asset, this will result in a lower tax liability than the first-in, first-out rule would dictate. Be aware, though, that if you elect to average, you must continue to average for any subsequent sales.

Using either system, you may end up with a lower tax liability from the sale of your shares than the IRS would assume using the first-in, first-out rule.

The value of stocks and mutual funds fluctuates so that shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost.

Mutual funds are sold only by prospectus. Please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses carefully before investing. The prospectus, which contains this and other information about the investment company, can be obtained from your financial professional. Be sure to read the prospectus carefully before deciding whether to invest.

The information in this article is not intended to be tax or legal advice, and it may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. You are encouraged to seek tax or legal advice from an independent professional advisor.

*All advisory services are offered through JWKodak Capital Management, LLC (“JWKodak”), an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission with offices in Austin, Texas and Chatham, Massachusetts. JWKodak and its representatives are in compliance with the current filing requirements imposed upon SEC registered investment advisers by those states in which JWKodak maintains clients. JWKodak may only transact business in those states in which it is notice filed, or qualifies for an exemption or exclusion from notification requirements. For information pertaining to the registration status of JWKodak, please contact the SEC or the state securities regulators for those states in which JWKodak maintains a notice filing. A copy of JWKodak’scurrent written disclosure statement discussing JWKodak’sbusiness operations, services, and fees is available from JWKodak upon written request. “Drake, Saunders & Diwinsky’s web site is limited to the dissemination of general information pertaining to securities advice and advisory services, together with access to additional investment-related information, publications, and links. Drake, Saunders & Diwinsky, LTD. and JWKodak are separate not affiliated companies; however, Brian Drake and Jane Bourette, employees of Drake, Saunders & Diwinsky, are investment advisor representatives with JWKodak. The company, Drake, Saunders & Diwinsky, Ltd is NOT an investment advisor or licensed in any way to provide investment advice.

The publication of this web site on the Internet should not be construed by any consumer and/or prospective client of Drake, Saunders & Diwinsky, LTD or JWKodak’s asolicitation to effect, or attempt to effect transactions in securities, or the rendering of personalized investment advice for compensation, over the Internet. Content in this website is for informational value only. Please consult an investment advisor representative before implementing any strategies discussed. Past Performance is no guarantee of future results.