The “Buy, Borrow, Die” tax strategy is a more intentional approach to investing. The primary focus is to minimize the amount of taxes owed on investment income and capital gains. The strategy considers three key elements of taxation – buying, borrowing, and dying – to make informed investment decisions.
Understanding this strategy is essential for investors who want to maximize the returns on their investments while minimizing the impact of taxes.
Below is a more detailed discussion of the buy, borrow, die tax strategy.
The Buy
This refers to investing in stocks or real estate that generate long-term capital gains, which are taxed at a lower rate than other types of income. Capital gains are profits realized from the sale of an investment, and long-term capital gains are realized after holding the investment for more than a year.
The tax rate for long-term capital gains ranges from 0% to 20% for individuals, depending on their taxable income. While the short-term capital gains, realized from investments held for less than a year, are taxed as ordinary income at a higher rate.
The Borrow
Borrow is a part of the buy, borrow, die strategy, which refers to borrowing money to invest. Since the interest on the loan is tax-deductible, it effectively reduces the overall tax bill. For example, if an investor borrows money to purchase a rental property, they can deduct the interest on the loan from their taxable income, thereby reducing their overall tax bill.
Additionally, borrowing can increase the returns on investment, as the investor can use leverage to purchase more assets. However, it is essential to be mindful of the risk involved in borrowing money to invest. The investment may perform as you expected, leading to losses that the tax savings may not fully offset from the interest deduction.
The Die
This part of the buy, borrow, die strategy refers to the fact that death is the one event that can trigger the largest tax bill, as it often leads to the transfer of assets and the realization of capital gains.
To minimize these tax implications, investors can consider tax-advantaged accounts, such as individual retirement accounts (IRAs) or annuities, which provide tax benefits during the investor’s lifetime and tax-free transfers to beneficiaries upon the investor’s death. It is also essential for investors to have a well-structured estate plan in place, which can help minimize the tax implications of transfers to beneficiaries and realize capital gains.
Summary
The “Buy, Borrow, Die” tax strategy provides a simple framework for investors to consider the tax implications of their investment decisions. By focusing on buying investments that generate long-term capital gains, borrowing to invest, and minimizing the tax implications of transfers to beneficiaries, investors can maximize the returns on their investments while minimizing the impact of taxes.
However, it is essential to seek advice from a financial advisor or tax professional because the tax implications of investment decisions can be complex, and the strategy may only be appropriate for some investors.