Vanguard Limited Term Tax Exempt Bond Fund tax distributions
Limited Term Tax Exempt Bond |
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The Vanguard Limited Term Tax Exempt Bond Fund is a very suitable candidate for placement in taxable accounts. In fact the fund is not available in tax advantaged accounts. The fund is often recommended for the following purposes:
- As a funding vehicle for short-term obligations.
- John Bogle in Bogle on Mutual Funds suggests using short term bond funds for funding an emergency fund. [1]
- As the fixed income allocation in an investment portfolio. Larry Swedroe [2] and William Bernstein [3] advocate using short term bonds for such purposes.
Investors holding bonds in taxable accounts can compare expected after tax returns of short term municipal tax exempt bond funds, treasury short term bond funds, and corporate short term bond funds to determine which fund provides the highest after tax returns. Bernstein suggests an investor should simply divide the short term allocation across all three short term bond categories. [4]
The table below summarizes the fund's relation to a number of tax factors.
Favorable tax factors | Unfavorable tax factors | Fig. 1 Bernstein's "Cowards" portfolio |
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Historical gains distributions : Very low |
ETF shares : No |
The following tables provide long term data on the fund's history of both dividend and capital gains distributions.
The second table provides a database of the fund's accounting figures: the annual level of realized and distributed gains; its level of unrealized gains and loss carryforwards; as well as any annual in-kind redemption gains the fund has realized. These figures highlight the level of a fund's tax liabilities.
Because both manager turnover of securities inside the portfolio and investor turnover of fund shares can affect the level of gains realization, a third table provides historical turnover ratios.
Distributions
Fund distributions |
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Data sources |
The Vanguard Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund has a fiscal year ending in October, so its reported distributions for a year reflect the prior year's December distribution of dividends and capital gains. |
The following table provides a view of the fund's historical distributions expressed in terms of yields. A portion of the dividend income may be subject to alternative minimum tax. [5] Over the 1994 - present period, the fund has distributed a modest capital gain only once (1994) and has maintained a loss carryforward available to offset realized gains since 1996.
Year | Dividend Investor shares [6] |
Dividend Admiral [6] |
Short-term Capital Gains [7] |
Long-term Capital Gains [7] [notes 1] |
Capital Return | Total Return |
2018 | 1.76% | 1.84% | 0.00% | 0.00% | -1.84% | -0.08% |
2017 | 1.52% | 1.62% | 0.00% | 0.00% | -0.45% | 1.07% |
2016 | 1.48% | 1.58% | 0.00% | 0.00% | -0.17% | 1.31% |
2015 | 1.51% | 1.59% | 0.00% | 0.00% | -0.36% | 1.15% |
2014 | 1.61% | 1.69% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.20% | 1.81% |
2013 | 1.67% | 1.75% | 0.00% | 0.00% | -1.07% | 0.60% |
2012 | 1.90% | 1.98% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.99% | 2.93% |
2011 | 2.24% | 2.32% | 0.00% | 0.00% | -0.71% | 1.53% |
2010 | 2.33% | 2.41% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 1.71% | 4.04% |
2009 | 2.77% | 2.85% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.15% | 2.92% |
2008 | 3.38% | 3.45% | 0.00% | 0.00% | -0.70% | 2.68% |
2007 | 3.46% | 3.53% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.16% | 3.62% |
2006 | 3.23% | 3.30% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.14% | 3.37% |
2005 | 3.01% | 3.08% | 0.00% | 0.00% | -2.30% | 0.71% |
2004 | 2.89% | 2.95% | 0.00% | 0.00% | -1.07% | 1.82% |
2003 | 3.19% | 3.88% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.81% | 4.00% |
2002 | 3.84% | 4.42% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.21% | 4.05% |
2001 | 4.40% | - | 0.00% | 0.00% | 3.49% | 7.89% |
2000 | 4.45% | - | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.59% | 5.04% |
1999 | 4.25% | - | 0.00% | 0.00% | -2.42% | 1.83% |
1998 | 4.27% | - | 0.00% | 0.00% | 1.14% | 5.41% |
1997 | 4.46% | - | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.98% | 5.44% |
1996 | 4.51% | - | 0.00% | 0.00% | -0.78% | 3.73% |
1995 | 4.51% | - | 0.00% | 0.00% | 1.48% | 5.99% |
1994 | 4.24% | - | 0.00% | 0.20% | -1.93% | 2.31% |
Accounting data
The accounting figures and associated ratios (tables 3 and 4) can help one visualize some of the major determinants of a fund’s tendency to distribute taxable gains. These determining features include:
Turnover: The rate at which a fund manager sells securities within the fund has a major effect on potential gains realization. Bond funds have higher turnover ratios than stock funds, since the bond manager must buy and sell bonds as they mature, and as the manager maintains the maturity and duration structure of the portfolio. The gains or losses on a bond are primarily determined by changes in interest rates, and in some instances, credit quality.
Similarly, fund shareholders' sales flows have major effects on a fund’s distribution tendencies. Net flows into the fund have the following effects:
- Constant inflows allow a fund manager to purchase a wide range of bonds at different prices. The manager can select high basis securities when forced to sell a bond (this may realize a loss). The manager can also select low basis securities when redeeming a bond in-kind (a non-taxable transaction that can remove an unrealized gain out of the portfolio.)
- A large and growing net asset base serves to diffuse any realized capital gains across a large base of shareholders and reduces the per share gain distribution. Large outflows have the opposite effect; any gains realized are spread across a smaller asset base and result in higher per share distributed gains. [8]
The level of unrealized gains and carryover realized losses in a fund: A fund which defers gains realization accumulates unrealized appreciation, which when distributed, will be taxed; thus the unrealized gain/loss figure shows the potential gain (or loss) that would be realized if the portfolio was to be entirely liquidated. Any loss carryovers a fund possesses can be used to offset future realized gains). The third tab on the Table 3. spreadsheet shows the data in percentage of total assets form. Tab four provides annual per share distribution data.
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Turnover
The fund turnover ratio has been quite low for a short term bond fund. Shareholder turnover in fund has on average been roughly the same as the fund's average duration.
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Tax rates
Mutual fund distributions will be taxed according to the tax laws governing the investment over the holding period of the investment, which are subject to change. The actual tax imposed will depend upon each individual's tax rate and the timing of purchases and sales. The federal tax rates applicable to mutual fund distributions and investor sales of securities for the period 2013 onward are outlined below. Keep in mind that investment income may also be subject to state and local taxation.
- Short-term capital gains distributions are made from realized gains on securities held for one year or less. Short-term gains are taxed at ordinary income tax rates up to 37%. Mutual fund short-term gain distributions are included in a fund's ordinary dividend distribution; therefore, capital losses may not be subtracted from these distributions when computing taxes.
- Long-term capital gains distributions are made from realized gains on securities held for more than one year. Long-term gains are taxed at 0% for taxpayers in the 10% and 12% tax brackets, at 15% for taxpayers in the middle tax brackets, and at 20% in the 35% and the 37% tax brackets. They are reported on tax Schedule D along with any other capital gains, and can be reduced by capital losses.
- Qualified dividends are the ordinary dividends [notes 2] that are subject to the same tax rate that applies to long-term capital gains. They should be shown in box 1b of the Form 1099-DIV you receive.
- When you sell at a loss you will either offset capital gains which would have otherwise been taxed at your capital gains rate or you will offset income (up to $3,000 maximum per year) which would have otherwise been taxed at your marginal income tax rate, or both. If you offset capital gains that would have otherwise not been taxed at all (because your capital gains tax rate is 0%) then this part of the tax loss harvest may be an outright loss.
- The Affordable Care Act imposes a Medicare surcharge of 3.8% on all net investment income (NII) once the taxpayer's adjusted gross income exceeds $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married); while this tax is not part of the income tax, it has the same effect on investors as a higher tax rate. The NII tax begins to apply to individuals falling in the 33% tax bracket. Thus the top effective marginal tax rate is 23.8% on qualified dividends and long-term gains, 40.8% on ordinary investment income.
Filing status and annual taxable income - 2024 | Ordinary income tax rate | ||||
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Single | Married Filing Jointly or Qualified Widow(er) | Married Filing Separately | Head of Household | Trusts and Estates | |
$0-$11,600 | $0-$23,200 | $0-$11,600 | $0-$16,550 | $0-3,100 | 10% |
$11,601-$47,150 | $23,201-$94,300 | $11,601-$47,150 | $16,551-$63,100 | n/a | 12% |
$47,151-$100,525 | $94,301-$201,050 | $47,151-$100,525 | $63,101-$100,500 | n/a | 22% |
$100,526-$191,950 | $201,051-$383,900 | $100,526-$191,950 | $100,501-$191,950 | $3,101-$11,150 | 24% |
$191,951-$243,725 | $383,901-$487,450 | $191,951-$243,725 | $191,951-$243,700 | n/a | 32% |
$243,726-$609,350 | $487,450-$731,200 | $243,726-$365,600 | $243,701-$603,950 | $11,151-$15,200 | 35% |
$609,351+ | $731,201+ | $365,600+ | $603,951+ | $15,201+ | 37% |
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Filing status and annual taxable income - 2024 | Long-term capital gain rate | ||||
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Single | Married Filing Jointly or Qualified Widow(er) | Married Filing Separately | Head of Household | Trusts and Estates | Qualified dividends and other investments |
$0-$47,025 | $0-$94,050 | $0-$47,025 | $0-$63,000 | $0-$3,100 | 0% |
$47,026-$518,900 | $94,041-$583,750 | $47,026-$291,850 | $63,001-$551,350 | $3,101-$15,450 | 15% |
$518,901+ | $583,751+ | $291,851+ | $551,351+ | $15,451+ | 20% |
Filing status and annual taxable income - 2023 | Ordinary income tax rate | ||||
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Single | Married Filing Jointly or Qualified Widow(er) | Married Filing Separately | Head of Household | Trusts and Estates | |
$0-$11,000 | $0-$22,000 | $0-$11,000 | $0-$15,700 | $0-$2,900 | 10% |
$11,001-$44,725 | $22,001-$89,450 | $11,001-$44,725 | $15,701-$59,850 | n/a | 12% |
$44,726-$95,375 | $89,451-$190,750 | $44,726-$95,375 | $59,851-$95,350 | n/a | 22% |
$95,376-$182,100 | $190,751-$364,200 | $95,376-$182,100 | $95,351-$182,100 | $2,901-$10,550 | 24% |
$182,101-$231,250 | $364,201-$462,500 | $182,101-$231,250 | $182,101-$231,250 | n/a | 32% |
$231,251-$578,125 | $462,501-$693,750 | $231,251-$346,875 | $231,251-$578,100 | $10,551-$14,450 | 35% |
$578,126+ | $693,751+ | $346,876+ | $578,001+ | $14,451+ | 37% |
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Filing status and annual taxable income - 2023 | Long-term capital gain rate | ||||
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Single | Married Filing Jointly or Qualified Widow(er) | Married Filing Separately | Head of Household | Trusts and Estates | Qualified dividends and other investments |
$0-$44,625 | $0-$89,250 | $0-$44,625 | $0-$59,750 | $0-$3,000 | 0% |
$44,626-$492,300 | $89,251-$553,850 | $44,626-$276,900 | $59,751-$492,300 | $3,001-$14,650 | 15% |
$492,301+ | $553,851+ | $276,901+ | $492,301+ | $14,651+ | 20% |
After tax yields
The calculator below (courtesy of the The Financial Buff blog) takes into account all taxable input federal, state, and alternative minimum tax for bond fund after-tax return analysis.
Income Tax Rates are available from the following sources:
Certain short-term losses
Special rules may apply if you have a short-term loss on the sale of shares on which you received an exempt-interest dividend or a capital gain distribution. If you received exempt-interest dividends on mutual fund shares that you held for 6 months or less and sold at a loss, you may claim only the part of the loss that is more than the exempt-interest dividends. Report the loss as a short-term capital loss.
Example:
On January 7, 2009, you bought a mutual fund share for $40. On February 4, 2009, the mutual fund paid a $5 dividend from tax-exempt interest, which is not taxable to you. On February 11, 2009, you sold the share for $34. If it were not for the tax-exempt dividend, your loss would be $6 ($40 − $34). However, you must increase the sales price from $34 to $39 (to account for the $5 portion of the loss that is not deductible). You can deduct only $1 as a short-term capital loss. [9] [10]
Notes
- ↑
Table 6. Capital gains table
(View Google Spreadsheet in browser, then File --> Download as to download the file.)
Note: If the spreadsheet is blank, select a different sheet, then back to that sheet. The image will be refreshed. - ↑ Fairmark says:
A portion of your ordinary dividend may be nonqualified because it can include items like these:
- Taxable interest. When a mutual fund receives taxable interest, the income gets paid out as a dividend. It's a dividend when it goes out of the mutual fund, but it wasn't a dividend when it came into the mutual fund, so it can't be a qualified dividend.
- Nonqualified dividends. Your mutual fund may receive dividends that are nonqualified. For example, the mutual fund may sell shares just 35 days after buying them, but after receiving a dividend. The mutual fund has to hold the shares at least 61 days to have a qualified dividend. Any amount the mutual fund receives as a nonqualified dividend gets paid to you as a nonqualified dividend.
- Short-term capital gain. When a mutual fund has a short-term capital gain, it pays this amount to the mutual fund shareholders as an ordinary dividend.
- Holding mutual fund shares less than 61 days. You should also be aware that any dividend you receive on mutual fund shares held less than 61 days is a nonqualified dividend, even if the mutual fund reports that amount to you as a qualified dividend. You don't have to buy the shares 61 days before the dividend is paid, but the total amount of time you hold the shares (including time before and after the dividend) has to be at least 61 days.
Almost all of the dividends distributed by Equity REITS come in the form of non-qualified dividends. Non-qualified dividends are taxed at marginal income tax rates.
See also
References
- ↑ John Bogle, Bogle on Mutual Funds, Dell, 1994, ISBN 978-0440506829, pp. 132-133.
- ↑ Larry Swedroe, What Wall Street Doesn't Want You to Know, St. Martins Press, 2001, ISBN 978-0312335724, pp.274-279.
- ↑ William Bernstein, The Four Pillars of Investing, McGraw-Hill, 2002. ISBN 978-0071385299, pp.257-263.
- ↑ Bernstein, The Four Pillars of Investing, pp. 261-263.
- ↑ Your Vanguard tax-exempt investments and AMT
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Dividend data is derived from the Complete filings: N-CSR reports back to 2003; N-30D reports back to 1994
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Capital Gains are derived from annual reports, and are calculated by dividing the dollar amount capital gain distribution by the average net assets of the fund, derived from N-CEN and NSAR reports
- ↑ Larry E. Swedroe, What Wall Street Doesn’t Want You To Know, 2001, pp.227-28. ISBN 0312335725
- ↑ From IRS Publication 564 Mutual Fund Distributions, which has been incorporated into IRS Publication 550 Investment Income and Expenses.
- ↑ Fairmark Short-Term Capital Losses
External links
- Current tax attributes: Vanguard
- 2019 State tax rates
Vanguard tax data | |
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Alternative Minimum Tax
State tax data 2004: |