For investors, long-term success is not solely determined by total returns, but by how much of those returns are retained after taxes.

In late January of 2026, the S&P 500 reached new highs, and in early February, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) hit a record high

Income tax is a large revenue source for the United States government. While tax rates have changed many times, the United States has used a “progressive” tax code. A progressive tax code means that people who make more money are taxed at a higher rate than those who make less money.