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December 18, 2012
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The daily fiscal cliff news coverage is causing irrational investor behavior regarding unrealized long-term capital gains (LTCG). Without congressional action the LTCG rate is set to increase from 15% in 2012 to 20% in 2013. In addition, high earners are subject to a 3.8% Medicare surtax applied to all capital gains. (income greater than $250,000 for married filing jointly, $200,000 for singles, $125,000 for married filing separately). The proposed tax rate changes are far from certain and may not be resolved well into 2013.
In order to accurately determine if a year-end sale is the right decision, the pros and cons must be weighed against each other.
Reasons to sell appreciated assets by year end
What are you giving up?
Payback Period
The year end tax planning decision is purely a factor of when the assets will be needed. An example is the best way to look at the situation. If an investor has a $100,000 LTCG and sells them in 2012, that investor will have a federal income tax bill of $15,000, excluding AMT implications. If that investor were to buy back the stock, they could only use the remaining $85,000. Over time the $5,000 tax savings (between a 15% and 20% LTCG rate) would be offset by the compounding interest realized by the $100,000 investment over the $85,000 investment. With average real market returns of 6%, the payback of holding LTCG is less than 6 years.
The table below depicts the required number of YEARS that LTCG must be held to come out ahead of the potential tax changes in 2013:
New LTCG Tax Rate |
Real Growth Rate (Excluding Dividends) |
||||
2% |
4% |
6% |
8% |
10% |
|
20% |
17.5 yrs |
8.9 yrs |
5.9 yrs |
4.4 yrs |
3.5 yrs |
23.8% (20% + 3.8%)* |
27.4 yrs |
14.5 yrs |
9.8 yrs |
7.3 yrs |
5.8 yrs |
*This rate applies to high income earners
The long term capital tax rates remain uncertain. Making portfolio decisions based upon a potential tax law change is a mistake for both clients and advisors. While each situation is unique, there is no compelling reason that realizing capital gains now is a better decision than doing nothing.
If you’re ready to start planning for a brighter financial future, Rockbridge is ready with the advice you need to achieve your goals.