The first tab offers a graphical calculator which shows the returns on a regular stream of deposits or withdrawals. The visual layout makes it easy to see how changing compounding frequency or rate of return impacts total returns and growth rates over time. The calculator in the second tab incorporates taxes and inflation.
This calculator figures the future value of an optional initial investment along with a stream of deposits or withdrawals. Enter a starting amount, a rate of return, compounding frequency, how frequently you intend to add or withdrawal money, and how much you intend to contribute or withdrawal periodically. By default periodic transactions happen at the end of each period. At the bottom of the entry area there is a check box to run calculations with the deposit or withdrawal happening at the beginning of each period. This calculator does not account for the impacts of interest or inflation, though the calculator in the third tab does for a lump sum deposit.
Future Value Inputs: |
Calculation results: |
Future Values of Deposits |
Amount of your initial deposit, or account balance, as of the present value date.
This is the starting date for your future value calculation. If you have an initial deposit it will be made on this date. If you have an existing account or investment, the amount you enter into the "initial deposit" should be the value of that account or investment on the start date. The tool also assumes that this is the date of the first periodic payment if deposits are made at the beginning of a period.
Day to calculate the future value.
The amount that you plan on adding to this savings or investment each period.
The frequency of your periodic deposits. Periods options include weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, quarterly and semi-annually and annually. You can choose to make deposits at the beginning or the end of each period.
The rate of return for this investment or savings account. The actual rate of return is largely dependent on the types of investments you select. The Standard & Poor's 500® (S&P 500®) for the 10 years ending December 31st 2024, had an annual compounded rate of return of 14.9%, including reinvestment of dividends. From January 1, 1970 to December 31st 2024, the average annual compounded rate of return for the S&P 500®, including reinvestment of dividends, was approximately 11.2% (source: www.spglobal.com). Since 1970, the highest 12-month return was 61% (June 1982 through June 1983). The lowest 12-month return was -43% (March 2008 to March 2009). Savings accounts at a financial institution pay less but carry significantly lower risk of loss of principal balances.
It is important to remember that these scenarios are hypothetical and that future rates of return can't be predicted with certainty and that investments that pay higher rates of return are generally subject to higher risk and volatility. The actual rate of return on investments can vary widely over time, especially for long-term investments. This includes the potential loss of principal on your investment. It is not possible to invest directly in an index and the compounded rate of return noted above does not reflect sales charges and other fees that investment funds and/or investment companies may charge.
This calculator allows you to choose the frequency that your investment's interest or income is added to your account. The more frequently this occurs, the sooner your accumulated earnings will generate additional earnings. For stock and mutual fund investments, you should usually choose 'Annual'. For savings accounts and CDs, all of the options are valid, although you will need to check with your financial institution to find out how often interest is being compounded on your particular investment.
Check here to make all future periodic deposits or withdrawals at the beginning of each period. Uncheck this box for the end of the period.
This calculator will help you to determine the after-tax future value of a lump-sum investment in today's dollars. Enter the amount invested, your anticipated investment APR, the anticipated rate of inflation along with the rate the investment will be taxed at to see how much money you'll have saved in the future along with what that money would be worth in today's dollars. If you do not want to account for taxes or inflation you can set those inputs to zero.
The results will show how various compounding frequencies on the investment impact the overall returns, along with the returns after taxes are paid & inflation is taken into account.
The above tabs allow you to switch between the calculator and current market rates available on high yield savings accounts & CDs of various durations including 1, 3, 6 & 9 months along with 1, 2, 3 and 5 year terms.
Is your bank offering competitive rates which beat inflation and taxes? If not, you may be able to earn a better rate & make your money work harder by shopping around.
The following table lists currently available rates for savings accounts, money market accounts and CDs.
The basic formula for future value is as follows:
FV = PV * (1 + r)n
That formula will give you the future value of an investment in nominal terms, however it does not adjust the results for inflation or the impact of taxes.
To account for taxes would start with the same formula
FV = PV * (1 + r)n
but then subtract the taxes from the gains.
FVaftertaxes = ((PV * (1 + r)n) - PV) * (1 - tr) + PV
It is worth noting the above presumes the investment is taxed at the end of the investment period rather than taxed throughout the period. This in turn allows some of the gains to compound before taxing. If returns were taxed each year then the formula would need to be changed to subtract tax after each compounding cycle rather than doing it at the end.
Long term capital gains are typically taxed at a signficantly lower rate than short term capital gains. Short term gains are typically taxed similarly to ordinary income.
| Rate | For Unmarried Individuals, Taxable Income Over | For Married Individuals Filing Joint Returns, Taxable Income Over | For Heads of Households, Taxable Income Over |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| 12% | $9,525 | $19,050 | $13,600 |
| 22% | $38,700 | $77,400 | $51,800 |
| 24% | $82,500 | $165,000 | $82,500 |
| 32% | $157,500 | $315,000 | $157,500 |
| 35% | $200,000 | $400,000 | $200,000 |
| 37% | $500,000 | $600,000 | $500,000 |
| Filing Status | Deduction Amount |
|---|---|
| Single | $12,000 |
| Married Filing Jointly | $24,000 |
| Head of Household | $18,000 |
Interest on a normal savings account is taxed annually. Banks typically issue a 1099-INT in the first month of the following calendar year.
Ordinary annuity returns are taxed when the money is withdrawn. If an annuity is purchased using pre-tax money then the entire balance is taxable, with taxes applying to each traunch that is withdrawn. If the purchase was made using after-tax funds then only the earnings are taxable, and the principal portion of each payment is not taxed. If a deferred annuity is cashed out via a lump sum then income tax will be due on all earnings above the original investment amount.
Short-term capital gains - which are typically assessed on investments held under 1 year - are taxed as ordinary income.
| Long-Term Capital Gains Rate | Single Taxpayers | Married Filing Jointly | Head of Household | Married Filing Separately |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0% | Up to $38,600 | Up to $77,200 | Up to $51,700 | Up to $38,600 |
| 15% | $38,600-$425,800 | $77,200-$479,000 | $51,700-$452,400 | $38,600-$239,500 |
| 20% | Over $425,800 | Over $479,000 | Over $452,400 | Over $239,500 |
Both short-term and long-term capital gains are also assessed an additional 3.8% net investment income tax for high earners. The 3.8% assessment was part of the Affordable Care Act, which has yet to be repealed.
Nominal dollars are not the same thing as actual spending power. Our debt-based fractional reserve monetary system is inherently inflationary, which means the value of currency generally declines over time.
To account for the decline in purchasing power we must subtract the compounded impacts of inflation from the final total.
FVafterttaxandinflation = (((PV * (1 + r)n) - PV) * (1 - tr) + PV) * (1 - ir)n
The above calculations are quite easy to do for interest or returns which compound annually. For investments which compound many times per year you have to divide the rate of return by the number of times the investment compounds each year & then multiply the annual periods by the number of times the investment compounds per year.
For continuously compounding interest the mathematical constant e is used.
FV = PV * er n
