Mutual Funds

In my career, I have guided many families through the complex emotional and financial landscape of inheriting assets. Few topics generate as much confusion—and potential for costly missteps—as understanding the tax basis of an inherited mutual fund and the treatment of its dividends. This isn’t just about paperwork; it’s about honoring a legacy by ensuring […]

Introduction In my practice, I often encounter a significant point of confusion for investors: the concept of “basis” in their retirement accounts. The statement “I don’t pay taxes until I withdraw the money” is only half the story. While it’s true that taxes are deferred in accounts like a Traditional IRA or 401(k), the internal

In my practice, the single greatest source of anxiety during tax season revolves around the Form 1099-B and the calculation of capital gains and losses. Clients often possess a sophisticated understanding of a fund’s strategy and performance but are completely in the dark about their own cost basis—the very foundation of their tax liability. This

In my practice, I’ve sat with grieving clients who, amidst their loss, are handed a portfolio of investments and a daunting question: “What do we do now, and what will the tax bill be?” There is a profound sense of relief when I explain the concept of the step-up in basis. This rule transforms what

In my years of preparing tax returns and advising clients on investment strategy, few topics cause more confusion than the 1099-DIV form from a mutual fund. Clients see a large capital gain distribution and panic about the tax bill, often followed by a perplexing question: “But I didn’t even sell anything?” This moment reveals a

In my career, I have advised clients from all walks of life, and the most common point of confusion is the basic mechanics of how investing works. People see scrolling tickers, hear about IPOs and ETFs, and feel overwhelmed before they even begin. I want to strip that away. The stock market and mutual funds

In my years of advising clients, I have seen a common misconception: people often jump straight to picking mutual funds without first constructing the blueprint that dictates which funds to choose and why. This is like choosing bricks before an architect has drawn the plans for your house. The order of operations is critical. Financial

In the world of investing, much of the glamour is reserved for stocks—the thrilling, high-growth engine of a portfolio. But in my three decades of finance, I’ve learned that the true mark of a sophisticated strategy is not just its engine, but its anchor. This is the role of fixed income, and for most individual

In my years of advising clients, I’ve found that confusion rarely stems from a lack of intelligence, but from a lack of clear, foundational context. The three most common building blocks of a portfolio—stocks, mutual funds, and ETFs—are often discussed interchangeably, yet they are fundamentally different instruments. Understanding their unique characteristics, their trade-offs, and their

Introduction In my years of advising clients, from first-time investors to seasoned professionals, I have found that the initial step into the market is often the most daunting. The world of mutual funds can seem complex, shrouded in jargon and seemingly high barriers. I am here to demystify that process. The truth is, the basic