Traditional covered call ETFs have historically given up a significant amount of total returns in exchange for high levels of income. If a monthly covered call ETF's underlying stocks rally through the strike price of the sold option early in the month, the fund can't provide any further gains for the rest of the month. As 2025 draws to a close, investors and advisors will be considering their tax-loss harvesting opportunities. By selling some investments at a loss, those investors can reduce their overall ...

Core Insights - The 2025 tax year is approaching its end, and proactive planning can help reduce tax liabilities and enhance savings [1] - Taxpayers are expected to pay more upfront in 2025 but receive larger refunds in 2026, with an estimated average refund of $3,743, reflecting a 17% increase from 2025 [2] Tax-Saving Strategies - Contributions to retirement plans and college savings accounts must be made by December 31, with a contribution limit of $23,500 for 401(k) or 403(b) plans in 2025, plus an additional $7,500 for those aged 50 or older [4][5] - For individuals aged 73 or older, December 31 is the deadline for taking required minimum distributions (RMDs) to avoid penalties [6] Investment Strategies - Tax-loss harvesting allows investors to sell underperforming assets to offset capital gains, with up to $3,000 of remaining losses applicable to ordinary income each year, and any excess losses can be carried forward [7] - The wash-sale rule, which prevents repurchasing substantially identical investments within 30 days of sale, currently does not apply to cryptocurrencies [8] Itemization Considerations - Less than 10% of taxpayers itemize deductions, but it may be beneficial if deductions exceed the standard deduction of $15,750 for single filers and $31,500 for married couples in 2025 [9]

Core Insights - Fall is an optimal time for baby boomers to refine their financial strategies before year-end deadlines, focusing on RMDs and charitable giving to lower taxes and enhance retirement savings [1][2] Group 1: Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) - Boomers aged 73 or older must adhere to strict RMD deadlines, with penalties for non-compliance; reviewing distribution amounts now allows for corrections and exploration of charitable giving options [3] - Financial advisors recommend aligning withdrawals with tax strategies before year-end, as RMDs can significantly affect annual financial plans [4] Group 2: Retirement Contributions - Working boomers can utilize catch-up contributions to reduce taxable income and enhance retirement savings, with additional contributions of $7,500 for 401(k) and $1,000 for IRA available for those aged 50 and older in 2025 [5] Group 3: Charitable Giving - Charitable contributions made before December 31 can lower taxable income while supporting preferred causes; reviewing taxable accounts in the fall is advisable for strategic gifting [5][6] - Tax-loss harvesting and donating appreciated stock or making QCDs from IRAs are effective strategies to reduce taxable income while contributing to charitable causes [6] Group 4: Medicare Coverage - The Medicare open enrollment period from October 15 to December 7 provides boomers an essential opportunity to review plan changes and avoid unexpected costs in 2026 [6]

Core Insights - The primary objective of investing is to grow capital through gains or income, with losses being an undesirable outcome [1] Tax Strategies - Investors can utilize capital losses to offset taxable capital gains, a strategy known as tax-loss harvesting [2][3] - For instance, selling a stock at a profit and then selling another stock at a loss can result in a net tax liability of zero if the losses equal the gains [3] Wash-Sale Rule - The "wash-sale" provision prohibits selling a security at a loss and repurchasing the same or substantially identical security within 30 days [4] - This rule is crucial for investors to consider when planning tax-loss harvesting strategies [4] Long-Term Investment Considerations - Investors should not sell stocks solely for tax benefits; decisions should align with long-term investment beliefs [5] - Selling a stock to offset gains may lead to missed opportunities if the stock appreciates during the waiting period [5] Reducing Taxable Income - Excess capital losses can offset ordinary income up to $3,000, providing additional tax savings [6] - For example, if an investor has $10,000 in gains and $13,000 in losses, they can reduce their taxable income, resulting in a lower tax bill [7]

Core Insights - Tax gain harvesting is a financial strategy that allows seniors to significantly reduce their tax liabilities by strategically selling assets to lock in gains at lower tax rates [2][4] - In 2025, a married couple filing jointly can earn up to $141,900 tax-free if they meet certain income thresholds and deductions [3][6] Tax Gain Harvesting Strategy - Tax gain harvesting is similar to tax-loss harvesting, where selling assets at a gain can be beneficial when income is low or tax deductions are high [2] - The favorable treatment of long-term capital gains allows single filers with taxable income below $48,350 to qualify for a 0% tax rate, while the threshold for married couples filing jointly is $96,700 [3] Income and Deductions - A couple with a combined income of $36,700 can sell assets and lock in up to $60,000 in capital gains without incurring taxes, in addition to the 2025 standard deduction of $30,000 [4] - Seniors over 65 can benefit from an additional $6,000 bonus deduction per person, totaling $12,000 for couples filing jointly [5] - Combining income thresholds for long-term gains with standard and bonus deductions allows couples to potentially generate $141,900 tax-free in 2025 [6]

Core Insights - Many investors are unaware that taxes can significantly impact their long-term returns, potentially leading to actual losses despite portfolio growth [1] - Effective tax strategies, such as tax-loss harvesting and asset location, can help reduce tax burdens and enhance after-tax gains, making these strategies accessible to all investors, not just the wealthy [2][3] Tax-Loss Harvesting - Tax-loss harvesting is a strategy used by affluent investors to convert market volatility into financial advantages by selling investments at a loss to offset taxable gains [3][4] - Automating tax-loss harvesting can maximize benefits for investors, allowing for year-round implementation rather than just during tax season [4][5] Asset Location - Asset location involves strategically placing different types of investments in accounts that optimize tax efficiency, such as holding tax-inefficient investments in tax-deferred accounts like IRAs [6] - Investments with favorable tax treatment, such as index funds or ETFs, are better suited for taxable brokerage accounts, enhancing overall tax efficiency [6][7]

Here’s a quick recap from our recent Market Sense discussion on tax-loss harvesting: what it is, when to do it, and how it can potentially help you during periods of market volatility. ...

Market Overview - Strong earnings growth is observed [1] - Trade deals, tariffs, and inflation are key factors influencing the market [1] - The Jackson Hole central banking summit is a significant event [1] Tax-Loss Harvesting Strategies - Tax-loss harvesting is a year-round strategy to potentially lower tax bills [1] - Understanding rules for tax-loss harvesting & wash sales is crucial [1] - Short and long-term capital gains are relevant to tax strategies [1] - Tax-loss harvesting can be implemented in managed accounts [1] - Fidelity offers a DIY tax-loss harvesting tool [1] Fidelity Resources - Fidelity encourages users to explore its tax-loss harvesting tool [1] - Fidelity provides various platforms for engagement, including YouTube, Reddit, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, Discord, and X [1]