Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund tax distributions

The Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund is a very suitable candidate for placement in taxable accounts. The fund is often recommended (see Fig. 1) as a core holding in a simple three-fund or four-fund portfolio. The fund is also one of the underlying fund portfolios for the Vanguard series of Target Retirement Funds and Life Strategy Funds. The table below summarizes the fund's relation to a number of tax factors.

Table 1. Summary

Favorable tax factors	Unfavorable tax factors	Fig. 1 A three fund portfolio
Historical gains distributions : Recently low Qualified dividends: Yes (avg. 98%) Section 199a deduction: Yes (modest) Turnover: Very Low Stock Migration: Nil ETF shares : Yes	Dividends: Higher than growth indices

The following tables provide long term data on the fund's history of both dividend and capital gains distributions. The first table also provides the historical distribution of qualified dividends.

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 the 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

The following table provides a view of the fund's historical distributions expressed in terms of yields. We can see that the fund distributed modest levels of capital gains during its first decade of existence, a period which coincided with a long bull market. The fund has not distributed a gain since 2001, a period marked by two bear markets, and which saw the introduction of an ETF share class in the fund.

In 2013 the fund distributed less than 100% qualified dividends for the first time since the start of the qualified dividend tax regime. Qualified dividends are taxed at lower capital gains tax rates.

The fund has changed tracking indexes twice in its history. In the table below, the transition year of index change is marked in red.

Table 2. Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Tax Distributions

Year	Dividend Investor shares	Dividend Admiral shares	Dividend ETF shares	Short-term Capital Gains	Long-term Capital Gains	Qualified Dividends	(FY) Annual Return - Investor
2019	1.78%	1.88%	1.89%	0.00%	0.00%	93.79%	30.65%
2018	1.86%	1.96%	1.97%	0.00%	0.00%	94.01%	-5.26%
2017	1.77%	1.87%	1.87%	0.00%	0.00%	94.78%	21.05%
2016	1.98%	2.09%	2.09%	0.00%	0.00%	92.75%	12.53%
2015	1.85%	1.96%	1.96%	0.00%	0.00%	100%	0.29%
2014	1.77%	1.89%	1.89%	0.00%	0.00%	100%	12.43%
2013	1.84%	1.96%	1.96%	0.00%	0.00%	94.35%	33.35%
2012	2.11%	2.23%	2.23%	0.00%	0.00%	100%	16.25%
2011	1.79%	1.91%	1.91%	0.00%	0.00%	100%	0.96%
2010	1.85%	1.96%	1.96%	0.00%	0.00%	100%	17.09%
2009	2.22%	2.33%	2.33%	0.00%	0.00%	100%	28.70%
2008	2.04%	2.12%	2.13%	0.00%	0.00%	100%	-37.04%
2007	1.71%	1.79%	1.79%	0.00%	0.00%	100%	5.49%
2006	1.66%	1.76%	1.78%	0.00%	0.00%	100%	15.51%
2005	1.62%	1.72%	1.74%	0.00%	0.00%	100%	5.98%
2004	1.70%	1.79%	1.79%	0.00%	0.00%	100%	12.52%
2003	1.49%	1.54%	1.54%	0.00%	0.00%	n/a	31.35%
2002	1.32%	1.39%	1.38%	0.00%	0.00%	n/a	-20.96%
2001	1.11%	1.17%	1.26%	0.00%	0.00%	n/a	-10.97%
2000	1.04%	1.23%	n/a	0.15%	0.29%	n/a	-10.57%
1999	1.15%	n/a	n/a	0.35%	0.78%	n/a	23.81%
1998	1.44%	n/a	n/a	0.20%	0.35%	n/a	23.26%
1997	1.65%	n/a	n/a	0.63%	0.86%	n/a	30.99%
1996	1.86%	n/a	n/a	0.15%	0.50%	n/a	20.96%
1995	2.14%	n/a	n/a	0.00%	0.80%	n/a	35.79%
1994	2.35%	n/a	n/a	0.00%	0.31%	n/a	-0.17%
1993	2.31%	n/a	n/a	0.00%	0.00%	n/a	10.62%
1992	2.42%	n/a	n/a	0.00%	0.00%	n/a	10.41%

• FY 2013 - The fund made a change of benchmark on 06/03/2013 moving from the MSCI U.S. Broad Market Index to the CRSP US Total Market Index.
• FY 2005 - The fund made a change of benchmark on 04/22/2005, moving from the Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 Index to the MSCI U.S. Broad Market Index.
• FY 2001 - The fund added ETF shares on 05/24/2001

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. Single digit annual fund turnover percentages result in a low rate of realized gains. Similarly, fund shareholders' sales flows have major effects on a fund’s distribution tendencies. Net flows into the fund have the following effects:

1. Constant inflows allow a fund manager to purchase a wide range of price lots for shares. The manager can select high basis shares when forced to sell a stock (this may realize a loss). The manager can also select low basis shares when redeeming a stock in-kind (a non-taxable transaction that can remove an unrealized gain out of the portfolio.)
2. 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.

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.

Table 3.

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Definition of terms

Net sales/redemptions This statistic reveals whether investors are net buyers or sellers of the fund. Realized gain/loss A realized capital gain/loss is an increase (or decrease) in the value of a security that is "real" because the security has been sold by the portfolio manager. The capital gains/losses are "realized" by the fund, and any distributions to the shareholder as a result of realized gains (adjusted for any realized losses) are taxable during the tax year in which the security was sold. Realized losses can be used to offset realized gains in an attempt to reduce taxable gains. If realized losses are higher than realized gains, a fund can "carry forward" these excess losses to offset future gains. In-kind redemption gains are included as gains in this statistic. As these gains are not taxable, they must be deducted from the realized/gain tally to reflect the net gain/loss for the year. (see tax attributes for the net gain computation). Distributed gains A net realized gain will be distributed to shareholders as a capital gains distribution. Unrealized gain/loss An unrealized capital gain/loss (also called a "paper profit or loss") is an increase (or decrease) in the value of a security that is not "real" because the security has not been sold. When a portfolio manager sells a security, however, the capital gains/losses become "realized" by the fund, and any realized gains (net of any losses) are taxable during the tax year in which the security was sold. Funds with low turnover rates, such as index funds, tend to have more unrealized gains than actively managed funds and are less likely to pass taxable gains on to investors. A fund's unrealized appreciation or depreciation figures are valuable because they can give an idea of whether a fund would need to distribute any gains if all of its securities were sold. Such information may help you determine your potential exposure to taxable distributions. This statistic is volatile, and will increase or decrease depending on market returns. Loss carryforward Realized losses can be “carried forward”, over an unlimited span of years, to offset any future net realized gains. In-kind redemptions Instead of selling securities, a portfolio manager may elect to distribute securities in-kind to redeeming shareholders. Unlike a sale, an in-kind transfer is not taxable. This technique is frequently used in the ETF creation/redemption process. For institutional redemptions, a portfolio manager can select low-basis securities to transfer (removing the embedded tax liability) from the portfolio.

Turnover

Reference article: Average net assets

Table 4.

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Definition of terms

Average net assets Average net assets are derived from NSAR and N-CEN reports from the EDGAR database. Redemptions The dollar amount of fund shares sold by shareholders. Sales The dollar amount of fund shares bought by shareholders. Turnover The rate at which the fund manager sells securities within the portfolio. The reciprocal of this number reflects the average holding period of the portfolio. Low turnover often results in low capital gains realization. R/ANA The redemptions/average net assets (R/ANA) ratio reflects how fund shareholders are turning over their holdings in the fund. It is analogous to the investment manager's turnover ratio. R/S The redemption/sales ratio (R/S) illustrates whether investors are net buyers or sellers of the fund. A ratio of less than 1 means that investors are net purchasers of the fund. A ratio more than one means investors are net sellers of the fund. The R/ANA and R/S ratios, viewed together, can signal market timing activity within a fund. For example a fund showing an R/ANA ratio of 400% and an R/S ratio of 1 (equal buys and sells) is likely being market timed by fund shareholders.

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.

1. 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 37.0%. 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.
2. 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 between 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.
3. Qualified dividends are the ordinary dividends 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.
4. 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.
5. 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 32% 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 - 2025					Ordinary income tax rate
Single	Married Filing Jointly or Qualified Widow(er)	Married Filing Separately	Head of Household	Trusts and Estates
$0-$11,925	$0-$23,850	$0-$11,925	$0-$17,000	$0-3,150	10%
$11,926-$48,475	$23,851-$96,950	$11,926-$48,475	$17,001-$64,850	n/a	12%
$48,476-$103,350	$96,951-$206,700	$48,476-$103,350	$64,851-$103,350	n/a	22%
$103,351-$197,300	$206,701-$394,600	$103,351-$197,300	$103,351-$197,300	$3,151-$11,450	24%
$197,301-$250,525	$394,601-$501,050	$197,301-$250,525	$197,301-$250,500	n/a	32%
$250,525-$626,350	$501,050-$751,600	$250,525-$375,800	$250,501-$626,350	$11,451-$15,650	35%
$626,351+	$751,601+	$375.801	$626,351+	$15,651+	37%
Capital gains on collectibles and small business stock are taxed at the normal tax rate but a maximum of 28%. Collectibles are defined in 26 USC 408(m). Small business stocks are per Section 1202. Reference: Alistair M. Nevius (May 1, 2013). "Qualified small business stock". Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. Journal of Accountancy. Retrieved December 30, 2017. Unrecaptured Section 1250 gain (from depreciation taken on real property) is taxed at the normal tax rate but a maximum of 25%. In addition, there is a 3.8% Medicare tax rate on investment income in excess of an adjusted gross income of $200,000 ($250,000 for married filing jointly), and 0.9% on salary and self-employment income in excess of this level. See: ACA net investment income tax

Filing status and annual taxable income - 2025					Long-term capital gain rate
Single	Married Filing Jointly or Qualified Widow(er)	Married Filing Separately	Head of Household	Trusts and Estates	Qualified dividends and other investments
$0-$48,350	$0-$96,700	$0-$48,350	$0-$64,750	$0-$3,250	0%
$48,351-$533,400	$96,701-$600,050	$48,351-$300,000	$64,751-$566,700	$3,251-$15,900	15%
$533,401+	$600,051+	$300,001+	$566,701+	$15,901+	20%

Filing status and annual taxable income - 2024					Ordinary income tax rate
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%
Capital gains on collectibles and small business stock are taxed at the normal tax rate but a maximum of 28%. Collectibles are defined in 26 USC 408(m). Small business stocks are per Section 1202. Reference: Alistair M. Nevius (May 1, 2013). "Qualified small business stock". Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. Journal of Accountancy. Retrieved December 30, 2017. Unrecaptured Section 1250 gain (from depreciation taken on real property) is taxed at the normal tax rate but a maximum of 25%. In addition, there is a 3.8% Medicare tax rate on investment income in excess of an adjusted gross income of $200,000 ($250,000 for married filing jointly), and 0.9% on salary and self-employment income in excess of this level. See: ACA net investment income tax

Filing status and annual taxable income - 2024					Long-term capital gain rate
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%

Tax analysis

The annual fund accounting figures show that the Vanguard Total Market Index fund turnover ratio usually stays in single digits. The rise in turnover during fiscal year 2005 was due to a shift in the fund's tracking index to the MSCI Broad Market Index. The current tracking index, The CRSP US Total Market Index, being a total market index, can be expected to exhibit low, single digit turnover in future years. This low turnover can be attributed to the fact that stock migration out of a total market index can come in only two dimensions:

1. An individual company goes bankrupt and is delisted from the stock exchange;
2. An individual company is bought out or merged with a second company.

Only mergers and acquisitions are likely to generate capital gains.

Shareholder turnover, revealed in the Redemptions/Average Net Assets (R/ANA) metric, shows that shareholders have historically turned over their holdings in the fund at 10%-20% annual rates, suggesting average holding periods of between five and ten years.

The fund has received net inflows every year of its history. The fund receives, in addition to direct investments, inflows from investors adding to Vanguard Target Retirement and Vanguard Lifestrategy fund of funds. Assuming continual steady net investment in these retirement accumulation portfolios should result in the continuance of future net inflows into the fund.

A look at realized net gains/losses shows that the fund, with the 2001 introduction of the ETF share class, has realized net losses in eleven of the eighteen years of the 2000-2019 period (see the second tab, tax attributes in Table 3 above). The period includes the 2000-2001 and 2008-2009 bear markets. These losses booked during these periods produced loss carryforwards. Low fund and shareholder turnover has retained most of these carryforward losses as offsets to potential future gains.

The following table presents the federal tax cost on the fund's historical distributions (see second tab, table 6.) under the current tax regime (with dividends and long term capital gains taxed at 0%, 15%, or 20%, depending on marginal tax rate, and an additional 3.8% ACA Net Investment Income tax assessed at higher tax brackets). Keep in mind that distributions can also be subject to state and local taxation, with marginal rates ranging from 0% to 13 (an average 5% state tax rate will add an approximate 0.09% to the annual tax cost of holding the fund.) The average is based on the results from 2004-2019, the period comprising the qualified dividend tax regime. The 2004- 2018 average yield is very close to the life of fund average yield. The fund distributed capital gains during the 1992-2000 period, averaging 0.16% per annum short term gains, and 0.43% per annum long term gains.

The table does not include the capital gains taxes associated with selling the fund at a gain.

Table 6.

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See also

• Vanguard ETF/fund ratios
• Vanguard statistical data spreadsheets
• US large cap index returns
• Vanguard large cap index fund tracking error

External links

• Current tax attributes and distributions: Vanguard
• State Individual Income Tax Rates, 2000-2014, The Tax Foundation
• State Individual Income Tax Rates, 2019, The Tax Foundation
• Tax information-Vanguard funds, qualified dividends, see also past years data tab