Inflation is a constant threat to investors, who have to remain vigilant against its steady erosion of their portfolio's purchasing power. Yet with inflation having been under control lately, now's a good time to look at what impact inflation might have on your taxes when prices start to rise more sharply.
In the following video, Fool contributor Dan Caplinger looks at the various ways that inflation affects your taxes. As Dan notes, with tax brackets and deduction and exemption amounts tied to rising prices, earning a constant income actually leads to modest tax declines over the long haul. Yet if your income rises at the same rate as inflation, the net effect is typically a wash. Dan points out, though, that the biggest challenge stock investors face is that capital gains and investment income are taxed without accounting for the impact of inflation. Taxes are something that every investor needs to take into account in choosing investments and assessing returns.
