Andrew Shilling

A 20% gain sounds good, until you find out the category returned 30%.

Certain clients will have to take a taxable distribution from the account every year.

Passive funds attracted new cash even if their returns were negative.

Clients must still account for gains not incurred through a sale or cash distribution.

Although the rules have become more lenient, high-income clients must not be complacent.

The firm plans to expand access to its line of low-cost funds to roughly 1,800, including those from BlackRock, Schwab and SSgA.

Volatility has returned in 2018, while easy stock gains have vanished.

Salary-reduction arrangements can exclude up to $520 each month from a client’s taxable income to cover these expenses.

While some funds show low valuations, S&P and Dow both stand at post-crisis highs.

One option for the higher earning spouse is to use an IRA as payment.