If it’s April, taxes are on the minds of most Americans. Based on decisions made throughout the prior calendar year, investors might be caught with a nasty tax surprise and need to write a large check to Uncle Sam. We consider your taxes daily to avoid these surprises at Hill Investment Group. Practices we implement, like tax loss harvesting and asset location (tax-inefficient asset classes in tax-deferred accounts), can meaningfully reduce the taxes an investor may owe annually. However, we are talking about one of the most impactful practices today: investing in ETFs rather than mutual funds.

ETFs and mutual funds are two types of investment vehicles and are simply different ways of holding a group of underlying securities like stocks or bonds. Most investment strategies can use either structure to execute their investment strategy. For example, Dimensional Fund Advisors and Avantis Investors, two companies we invest with, have both a mutual fund and an ETF for their US Small Value strategies. For each firm, the strategies are run the same way. However, they have a different legal structure that, in turn, has different tax consequences. 

ETFs rarely distribute capital gains at the end of the year because of the way they rebalance and trade.

On the other hand, mutual funds almost always distribute some capital gains. The table below outlines the capital gain distributions for four specific funds in 2022.

Both the mutual funds distributed ~5% of their value in capital gains, whereas the ETFs did not distribute any. This means that investors in the mutual fund owed about 1% (assuming a 20% capital gains tax rate) in taxes to the government. For every $100,000 invested in the small value strategy, they owed $1,000 in taxes this April. Investors in the ETF, the same strategy but with a different legal structure, owed $0 in taxes this April.

By investing primarily in ETFs across our models, we avoid capital gain distributions for our clients in those funds and meaningfully reduce their tax bills yearly.

Let me know if you have questions or comments about this or any other investment-related topics by emailing me at: zenz@hillinvestmentgroup.com.

Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies.  Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed.  Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed here. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

We love it when good people and good ideas come together. Consider joining us on May 17th at Hearth & Soul for an event focused on financial education with our Matt Hall. If you have yet to hear, Hearth and Soul is the vision of the businesswoman, mom, volunteer, and friend Susie Busch Transou. Susie’s love of hospitality, blended with the desire to enrich the lives of others, has come together to make Hearth and Soul a special place in St. Louis.

And as long-time clients and friends know, Matt Hall’s book Odds On came out seven years ago and is still making waves. The book has taken Matt from the Netherlands (Odds On has been converted to Dutch) all the way to North Dakota (where Matt spoke to a university investment group). Matt’s unique ability will be on full display during this event as he boils down the lessons learned over his successful career, helping others improve their odds of success.

Add the Hearth & Soul with Matt Hall Event to your Apple Calendar

Name – Nicklaus (Nick) Ashby

Occupation – Client Service Associate

How did you hear about HIG? I first heard about HIG through a mutual connection on LinkedIn. I quickly learned more about the firm’s mindset and philosophy through Matt’s book, Odds On.

What are your early impressions? My early impressions have been positive and instilled a sense of excitement for the future. I feel surrounded by people with similar goals, mindsets, and levels of hospitality for others.

What is your favorite part of the job? It is building authentic relationships with others and assisting them in whatever challenges come their way.

Has anything surprised you? I have been surprised by the level of service given to clients. Above and beyond!

*Fun fact – Nick’s had a beard since seventh grade.