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REDDIT

Can someone help me understand capital gains for actively managed ETFs in taxable accounts?

W
Feb 20, 2025 · 14:43

Let's take an extreme example with a fund like ADPV. My understanding is that it screens for growth & momentum, cycling between about 25 companies of all market capitalization sizes and US treasuries. I don't know what the turnover is like, but part of the prospectus says it's designed to prevent large drawdowns, so it seems that there is a fair deal of trading going on within the fund.

How exactly does capital gains work for this? Let's assume I'm dollar cost averaging into the fund (in a taxable brokerage) & not selling, but the fund managers are selling once momentum trends change. Do I receive a schedule D form at the end of the fiscal year from the broker with all the S.T. capital gains liabilities? If so, is the principal the same with passive funds that track indices when a given company no longer meets the criteria to be held by the fund?

I'd really love to gain a better grasp of this concept and greatly appreciate any clarification that you are able and willing to provide. Thanks!