Taxable vs. Tax Advantaged Investments

How taxes are applied to an investment can make an incredible difference. This calculator is designed to help compare a normal taxable investment to two common tax advantaged situations: An investment where taxes are deferred until withdrawals are made, and an investment where taxes are paid on money that goes into the account, but all withdrawals are tax free.

This Financial Calculator requires SUN's Java™ Plug-in. If you see this message you will need to download SUN's Java™ Plug-in. This can be done automatically by clicking the yellow bar at the top of your browser and choosing “Install ActiveX Control”.

    You can also get SUN's Java™ Plug-in here: Get the Java™ Plug-in!

    For more information about this Plug-in please visit: SUN's Java™ Plug-in
    For more information about these financial calculators please visit: Financial Calculators from KJE Computer Solutions, LLC

Definitions

Annual rate of return
This is the annual rate of return you expect from your investments after taxes. The actual rate of return is largely dependent on the type of investments you select. For example, for the last thirty years the average annual rate of return for the TSX is about 10%. Savings accounts at a bank or credit union may pay as little as 2% or less. It is important to remember that future rates of return can't be predicted with certainty and that investments that pay higher rates of return are subject to higher risk and volatility. The actual rate of return on investments can vary widely over time, especially for long-term investments. This includes the potential loss of principal on your investment.

Existing balance
Any existing balance for the accounts.

Compensate for tax-deduction
If you check this box the calculator will assume contributions to the tax-deferred investment are tax deductible when they are made. The calculator will then increase the contribution amount for the tax-deferred investment by the amount required to make the net contribution equal to the investments that have contributions made on an after-tax basis.

Years to contribute
Number of years you plan on making contributions.

New contributions
Your periodic contribution. All contributions are assumed to happen at the beginning of the period.

Contribution frequency
The frequency of your contributions. The options are Monthly, Quarterly, or Annually. All contributions are assume to be made at the beginning of the period.

Years of withdraws
Number of years you plan on taking distributions. Enter "1" for a lump sum distribution. All distributions are assumed to happen at the beginning of the period.

Withdrawal frequency
The frequency of your distributions. The options are Monthly, Quarterly or Annually. All distributions are assumed to be taken at the beginning of the period.

Tax during contributions / withdrawals*
Your estimated marginal tax rate.