Tax Management of Factor-Based Portfolios

Abstract

The risk-adjusted returns of factor strategies can look quite attractive. However, the turnover associated with them can significantly reduce their after-tax excess returns. In this article, the authors report the results of their after-tax study of these strategies. They find that material pre-tax excess return can be gained through exposure to popular factors—up to 2.4% net of management fees. From an after-tax perspective, they find that taxes can erode much of this return unless a systematic tax management process is applied.