Lesson

After-tax returns are the actual returns an investor receives after accounting for taxes on investment income and capital gains.

Practice Question #1

Which of the following is the best definition of after-tax return?

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Terms

After-tax return:
The actual return an investor receives after accounting for taxes on investment income and capital gains.

Practice Question #2

Which of the following accounts is NOT subject to taxes on investment income and capital gains?

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Do Not Confuse With

Pre-tax return:
The return on an investment before considering the impact of taxes.

Practice Question #3

What is the primary goal of tax-efficient investing?

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Historical Example

In the late 1990s, many investors focused solely on pre-tax returns and ignored the impact of taxes on their investment performance. As a result, they experienced lower after-tax returns than expected, leading to a greater emphasis on tax-efficient investing strategies in the following years.

Practice Question #4

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Real-World Example

An investor holds two stocks in their portfolio, one with a pre-tax return of 10% and the other with a pre-tax return of 8%. However, the first stock generates significant taxable income, while the second generates tax-free income. After accounting for taxes, the investor may find that the second stock provides a higher after-tax return, making it a more attractive investment.

Practice Question #5

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Rhyme

To maximize your wealth, don't just look at gains, consider the taxes and after-tax remains.

Practice Question #6

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Formulas to Remember

After-tax return = (Pre-tax return * (1 - Tax rate))

Practice Question #7

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Formula Examples

1. Calculate the pre-tax return: If an investment earns $10,000 and the initial investment was $50,000, the pre-tax return is ($10,000 / $50,000) = 0.2 or 20%. 2. Assume the investor's tax rate is 25% 3. After-tax return = (0.2 * (1 - 0.25)) = 0.2 * 0.75 = 0.15 or 15%.

Practice Question #8

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Pitfalls to Remember

Tax rate changes:
The formula assumes a constant tax rate, but tax rates can change over time, which may affect the after-tax return.
Different tax treatments:
Different types of investments may have different tax treatments, which can impact the after-tax return. This formula does not account for those differences.

Practice Question #9

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