ETFdb Logo
ETFdb Logo
  • ETF Database
  • Channels
    • Active ETF
    • Alternatives
    • Beyond Basic Beta
    • China Insights
    • Climate Insights
    • Commodities
    • Core Strategies
    • Crypto
    • Disruptive Technology
    • Dividend
    • Dual Impact
    • Emerging Markets
    • Energy Infrastructure
    • ESG
    • ETF Building Blocks
    • ETF Education
    • ETF Strategist
    • Fixed Income
    • Free Cash Flow
    • Future ETFs
    • Global Diversification
    • Gold & Silver Investing
    • Innovative ETFs
    • Institutional Income Strategies
    • Leveraged & Inverse
    • Managed Futures
    • Market Insights
    • Megatrends
    • Modern Alpha
    • Multi-Asset
    • Night Effect
    • Portfolio Strategies
    • Retirement Income
    • Richard Bernstein Advisors
    • Tax Efficient Income
    • Thematic Investing
    • Volatility Resource
  • Tools
    • ETF Screener
    • ETF Country Exposure Tool
    • ETF Sector Tracker Tool
    • ETF Database Categories
    • Head-To-Head ETF Comparison Tool
    • ETF Stock Exposure Tool
    • ETF Issuer Fund Flows
    • Indexes
    • Mutual Fund To ETF Converter
    • ETF Data for Journalists
    • ETF Nerds
  • Research
    • First Bitcoin ETF
    • ETF Education
    • Equity Investing
    • Dividend ETFs
    • Leveraged ETFs
    • Inverse ETFs
    • Index Education
    • Index Insights
    • Top ETF Sectors
    • Top ETF Issuers
    • Top ETF Industries
  • Webcasts
  • Themes
    • AI ETFs
    • Blockchain ETFs
    • See all Thematic Investing ETF themes
    • ESG Investing
    • Marijuana ETFs
  • Multimedia
    • ETF 360 Video Series
    • ETF Trends on Videos
    • ETF Trends on Podcasts
    • ETF Prime Podcast
  • Company
    • About Us
    • Swag Store
  • PRO
    • Pro Content
    • Pro Tools
    • Advanced
    • FAQ
    • Pricing
    • Free Sign Up
    • Login
  1. Index Insights
  2. Biden’s Tax Proposal and Tax-Efficient Income Opportunities
Index Insights
Share

Biden’s Tax Proposal and Tax-Efficient Income Opportunities

Stacey Morris, CFAMay 03, 2021
2021-05-03
IO Blog Banner - Final


President Biden’s Proposed Tax Hike: Potential Implications and Opportunities for Tax-Efficient Income

While tax-efficient investing has an evergreen appeal, the prospect of higher tax rates in the US for corporations and wealthy individuals has made tax considerations top of mind for investors and their advisors. President Biden supports raising the corporate tax rate from 21% to 28% as has been widely reported. Additionally, the Biden Administration has proposed raising the income tax rate for the highest earners from 37% to 39.6% (or 43.4% including the Medicare surtax) and increasing the rate on capital gains and dividends from 20% to 39.6% (43.4% with the surtax) for those with annual income above $1 million. Acknowledging that there is plenty of politicking and possible compromising yet to be done, this note discusses a few of the potential implications of the tax hike and solutions for investors seeking tax-exempt or tax-deferred income.

Broad market implications and the impact on mutual funds.

With the strength in broad US equity markets over the last several years, wealthy individuals likely have sizable capital gains that they may choose to realize ahead of any potential hike in the capital gains rate. This could result in some selling pressure for equities. As discussed in this Bloomberg article, investors in mutual funds may sell to realize gains at a lower tax rate and reallocate to more tax-efficient ETFs. Recall, mutual funds often have to sell out of positions to raise cash to satisfy redemptions, resulting in capital gains for their shareholders, whereas ETF shares are bought and sold among investors. A higher capital gains rate would be expected to further underscore the tax efficiency of ETFs relative to mutual funds.

Wealthy individuals are likely to reexamine opportunities for tax-exempt or tax-deferred income. Municipal bonds can provide income exempt from federal taxes and potentially state taxes if owned by a resident of the state of issue. Closed-end funds may be an attractive way to gain diversified exposure to municipal bonds with leverage potentially enhancing yield. At the end of April, the S-Network Municipal Bond Closed-End Fund Index was yielding 4.4% or 7.0% on a tax-equivalent basis using the current top tax rate of 37% (learn more about this index).

For tax-deferred income, Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs) may represent an attractive option for investors. Typically 70-100% of MLP dividends (called distributions) are considered to be a tax-deferred return of capital, which means the taxes on that portion of the income are not paid until the investment is sold. The portion of the distribution that is not a tax-deferred return of capital is taxed at ordinary income rates in the current year. Investors comfortable with filing a form K-1 for tax purposes can invest directly in MLPs for potential tax-deferred income, or alternatively, MLP ETFs provide a 1099 tax form and greater diversification while maintaining the tax character of distributions from their underlying holdings. For additional information, please see this piece on MLP Taxation and this piece on MLP Investment Products. As of the end of April, the Alerian MLP Index was yielding 8.1%. Finally, as pass-through entities, MLPs do not pay taxes at the company level, and an increase in the corporate tax rate would widen MLPs’ tax advantage relative to corporations (read more).

Alerian is not a tax advisor. This commentary is not intended to be tax advice.


Content continues below advertisement

This is the image alt text

Current Yields vs. History

Midstream yields are largely in line with historical 5-year averages, though above the 10-year averages.

This is the image alt text

The S-Network Sector Dividend Dog Indexes have provided solid year-to-date performance, while offering more generous yields than their relevant benchmarks.

This is the image alt text

Multiple screens for dividend durability, including evaluating cash flows, EBITDA, and debt-to-equity ratios, help ensure reliable income from the durable dividend indexes. While current yields are below the 5-year average, they are well above the S&P 500’s current 1.43% yield.

This is the image alt text

Though current yields are below historical averages, closed-end funds continue to represent an attractive option for enhancing the yield of an income-oriented portfolio. As noted above, municipal bond closed-end funds may be particularly attractive given that muni bonds generate interest income that is exempt from federal taxes.

This is the image alt text


Related Research:

MLPs Taxation: The Benefits and What You Need to Know

Muni CEFs: Enticing Tax-Exempt Income and Diverse Exposure

A Smarter Approach to Closed-End Funds

Could Private Equity Activity in Midstream Pick Up in 2021?

Midstream/MLPs: 2020 Cost Discipline Has Benefits into 2021




Underlying Index

Associated Product

Midstream/MLPs

Alerian Midstream Energy Index (AMNA)

ETRACS Alerian Midstream Energy Index ETN (AMNA)

Alerian MLP Index (AMZ)

JP Morgan Alerian MLP Index ETN (AMJ), ETRACS Alerian MLP Index ETN Series B (AMUB), ETRACS Quarterly Pay 1.5X Levered Alerian MLP Index ETN (MLPR), Available on the C8 platform

Alerian Midstream Energy Dividend Index (AEDW)

ETRACS Alerian Midstream Energy High Dividend Index ETN (AMND), Alerian Midstream Energy Dividend UCITS ETF (MMLP)

Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index (AMZI)

Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP), ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B (MLPB), Available on the C8 platform

Alerian Midstream Energy Select Index (AMEI)

Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF (ENFR), Available on the C8 platform

Sector Dividend Dogs

S-Network Sector Dividend Dogs Index (SDOGX)

ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (SDOG)

S-Network International Sector Dividend Dogs Index (IDOGX)

ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (IDOG)

S-Network Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs Index (EDOGX)

ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (EDOG)

S-Network REIT Dividend Dogs Index (RDOGX)

ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF (RDOG)

Durable Dividends

S-Network Durable Dividends US Large-Cap Index (SNDDX)

Available on the C8 platform and the SMArtX platform

S-Network Durable Dividends US Mid-Cap Index (SNDDMX)

Available on the C8 platform and the SMArtX platform

S-Network Durable Dividends Developed International Index (SNDDIX)

Available on the C8 platform

Closed-End Funds

 

S-Network Composite Closed-End Fund Index (CEFX)

Invesco CEF Income Composite ETF (PCEF), ETRACS 1.5X Leveraged Closed-End Fund ETN (CEFD), Available on the C8 platform

S-Network Municipal Bond Closed-End Fund Index (CEFMX)

 

VanEck Vectors CEF Municipal Income ETF (XMPT), Available on the C8 platform

S-Network Option Income Closed-End Fund Index (CEFOIX)

Available on the C8 platform and the SMArtX platform


This is the image alt text


 


 

» Popular Pages

  • Tickers
  • Articles

Jan 27

Main Management Market Note: January 27, 2023

Jan 27

As Recession Signals Grow, Turn to Risk-Managed ETFs

Jan 27

HGER Acts as a Compelling Solution for Inflation

Jan 27

Mutual Fund-to-ETF Conversions: The Future in 4 Charts

Jan 27

American Century ETF Duo Hits Key Buy Signals Friday

Jan 27

ACES and AMLP Aid Investing in the Energy Transition

Jan 27

Target Long Duration, High Quality Fixed Income

Jan 27

The Sharpe-r Way to Invest

Jan 27

Structure Matters: Volatility May Make 60/40 Unclear

Jan 27

IRBA Demonstrates a Profits-Driven ESG ETF

QQQ

Invesco QQQ Trust

SPY

SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust

VOO

Vanguard S&P 500 ETF

VGT

Vanguard Information...

SMH

VanEck Semiconductor ETF

XLK

Technology Select Sector SPDR...

VTI

Vanguard Total Stock Market...

SOXX

iShares Semiconductor ETF

BLOK

Amplify Transformational Data...

META

Roundhill Ball Metaverse ETF

Loading Articles...
Help & Info
  • Contact Us
Tools
  • ETF Screener
  • ETF Analyzer
  • Mutual Fund to ETF Converter
  • Head-To-Head ETF Comparison
  • ETF Country Exposure Tool
  • ETF Stock Exposure Tool
  • ETF Performance Visualizer
  • ETF Database Model Portfolios
  • ETF Database Realtime Ratings
  • ETF Database Pro
More Tools
  • ETF Launch Center
  • Financial Advisor & RIA Center
  • ETF Database RSS Feed
Explore ETFs
  • ETF News
  • ETF Picks of the Month
  • ETF Category Reports
  • Premium Articles
  • Alphabetical Listing of ETFs
  • Best ETFs
  • Browse ETFs by ETF Database Category
  • Browse ETFs by Index
  • Browse ETFs by Issuer
  • Compare ETFs
Legal
  • Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
  • © 2023 VettaFi LLC. All rights reserved.
Follow ETF Database
Follow ETF Database

Advertisement

Is Your Portfolio Positioned With Enough Global Exposure?

ETF Education Channel

How to Allocate Commodities in Portfolios

Tom LydonApr 26, 2022
2022-04-26

A long-running debate in asset allocation circles is how much of a portfolio an investor should...

Core Strategies Channel

Why ETFs Experience Limit Up/Down Protections

Karrie GordonMay 13, 2022
2022-05-13

In a digital age where information moves in milliseconds and millions of participants can transact...

}
X