Estimating capital gains distribution

**disneysteve** · 12-13-2009, 08:48 AM

Not that I know of. I don't see how anyone could estimate that because it will depend on what changes the fund makes to its holdings between now and the end of the year.

**kv968** · 12-13-2009, 10:51 AM

If you look up the fund at Morningstar and click on the "Tax" tab, it will show you a percentage of potential capital gains the fund has. I'm not sure how accurate it is and it doesn't mean that the fund will actually realize those gains, but it can at least give you an idea of how the much the fund may.

**creditcardfree** · 12-13-2009, 01:09 PM

Yes, the mutual fund company knows or at least can give you an estimate. Call them, they will tell you. Actually, I just checked Vanguard and they have a link on the front page of their website. Looks like quite a few aren't paying capital gains...but some are.

**southerndoc** · 12-13-2009, 03:55 PM

This may sound like a stupid question, but I will ask it anyway since I've never owned a mutual fund outside a tax-deferred account:

Does the mutual fund company send a 1099 (or report it through a broker) that lists the profits/losses in short and long-term capital gains as well as dividends?

**disneysteve** · 12-13-2009, 03:59 PM

Originally posted by southerndoc View Post

This may sound like a stupid question, but I will ask it anyway since I've never owned a mutual fund outside a tax-deferred account:

Does the mutual fund company send a 1099 (or report it through a broker) that lists the profits/losses in short and long-term capital gains as well as dividends?

Yes, they do.

**creditcardfree** · 12-13-2009, 06:37 PM

Originally posted by southerndoc View Post

This may sound like a stupid question, but I will ask it anyway since I've never owned a mutual fund outside a tax-deferred account:

Does the mutual fund company send a 1099 (or report it through a broker) that lists the profits/losses in short and long-term capital gains as well as dividends?

Specifically, a 1099-B.

**MonkeyMama** · 12-14-2009, 05:59 AM

I agree with the others - usually mutual fund companies estimate annual capital gains, dividends, etc. - they would have that info on their websites by now.

**zetta** · 12-14-2009, 02:54 PM

Thanks -- I checked the website and they did indeed have estimates posted. Turns out only two funds expect to distribute gains this year, and I hold those within an IRA, so it's not going to impact my taxes like it did a few years ago.

Estimating capital gains distribution