Are financial advisor fees taxable?

Asked by: Marta Mueller  |  Last update: August 14, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (41 votes)

Financial advisor fees are not tax-deductible now, but there are still tax benefits from working with an advisor. Dec. 19, 2024, at 3:22 p.m. There are fees that come with using a financial advisory during tax season.

Can you deduct financial advisor fees on taxes?

As of the current tax regulations, financial advisor fees are generally not tax deductible for most individuals. This change came into effect with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017, which eliminated many miscellaneous itemized deductions, including those for investment advisory fees, through at least 2025.

When did investment advisory fees stop being deductible?

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 put an end to the deductibility of financial advisor fees, as well as a number of other itemized deductions. As of January 2018, these fees no longer contribute to reducing your tax bill.

Are fidelity advisory fees tax-deductible?

What Changed After the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017? Tax reform brought many changes after the TCJA and eliminated most miscellaneous itemized deductions, including investment-related expenses. Investors can no longer deduct any costs associated with producing investment income, including: Financial advisor fees.

Do financial advisors do your taxes for you?

Some financial advisors have in-house tax specialists, but at other times, it's up to the client to find their own accountant. Clients should choose wisely because selecting the right professional can be key to financial growth.

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Should I pay a financial advisor or do it myself?

It will also depend on how much money you have to invest. If you have strong financial acumen and experience investing, then you might be fine investing your own money. If you have less than $50,000 of liquid assets, then you may also want to consider going at it on your own, as the fees might not be worth it.

Do financial advisors get a 1099?

- Independent contractors have more control over their business decisions, including setting their own schedules and choosing clients. - Financial advisors working on a 1099 basis often have the potential for higher earnings, as they may earn commissions on the products and services they sell.

Can you claim investment management fees on taxes?

The amount of fees you pay must also be reasonable, considering the amount of time the person providing the advice or service spent on the work and the type of work they did. In general, investment management fees are deductible against any type of income on your personal income tax return.

Are financial advisor fees negotiable?

After all, you want to make sure that you're getting value in exchange for the fees you're paying. If you'd like to keep costs as low as possible, you may be wondering whether financial advisor fees are negotiable. The short answer is that they could be, depending on how an advisory firm structures its fees.

Are fiduciary fees deductible on 1040?

When preparing an estate or trust's income tax Form 1041, you may deduct fiduciary fees. Fiduciary fees are the amounts executors, administrators, or trustees charge for their services.

Are accountant fees tax deductible?

Self-employed taxpayers may deduct the cost of having an accountant or other tax professional complete the business portion of their tax returns—Schedule C and other business tax forms—but they can't deduct the time the preparer spends on the personal part of their returns.

Are ETF fees tax deductible?

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have embedded fees like the ones attached to mutual funds, and those fees are not tax deductible directly on your tax return.

Is portfolio line of credit interest tax deductible?

The interest expenses could potentially be deducted from taxes, making it an attractive option for financing home improvements. Interest rates are typically lower than those charged by credit cards and personal loans.

When did advisory fees stop being deductible?

Prior to 2018, investors could deduct some or all of their investment advisory fees on their federal tax returns. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, effective for tax years 2018 to 2025, eliminated the deductibility for "miscellaneous items," such as fees for financial advice, IRA custodial fees and accounting fees.

Should I share my tax return with my financial advisor?

However, it is important to understand that sharing a full copy of your tax return with your financial advisor can have a significant impact on your overall financial health. While often overlooked, robust tax planning is one of the most valuable pieces of a complete financial plan.

Are management fees no longer tax-deductible?

Are investment management fees tax deductible? No, they aren't – at least not until 2025. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) enacted major changes to what investors can and cannot claim on their tax returns.

Is it worth it to pay 1% to a financial advisor?

Bottom Line. A 1% annual fee on a multi-million-dollar investment portfolio is roughly typical of the fees charged by many financial advisors. But that's not inherently a good or bad thing, but rather should hold weight in your decision about whether to use an advisor's services.

What is a fair fee for a financial advisor?

On average, you can expect to pay between 0.5% and 2% of your total assets under management annually, $150 to $400 per hour, or a flat fee ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 for a comprehensive financial plan.

Do you tip your financial advisor?

Tips you don't have to give

Swann clarifies that professional service providers—financial advisors, doctors, lawyers, teachers, veterinarians, therapists, or life coaches—should not be offered tips. Similarly, some workers cannot accept tips.

Where to put advisory fees on a tax return?

The place to input the investment management fee for the taxable portion of your account is under the Federal area Deductions and Credits. Way down at the bottom under Other Deductions and Credits, enter it as Other Deductible Expenses, not as Tax Preparation Fees.

Can I deduct brokerage fees on my taxes?

No. Any fees you pay to buy, sell, or hold an asset or to collect interest or dividends are not eligible for income tax deduction. This would include brokerage or transaction fees, management and advisor fees, custodial fees, accounting costs, and fund operating expenses.

Are administration fees tax deductible?

You can deduct management and administration fees, including bank charges incurred to operate your business. Bank charges include those for processing payments. You can deduct interest incurred on money borrowed for business purposes or to acquire property for business purposes.

Does my financial advisor do my taxes?

Many, but not all, financial advisors specialize in tax issues and provide comprehensive tax advice to their clients, including tax problem resolution, tax planning, and return preparation as well as preparing estate, gift, and trust tax returns.

Is money paid to a financial advisor tax deductible?

While financial advisor fees are no longer deductible, there are things you can do to keep your tax bill as low as possible. For example, those strategies include: Utilizing tax-advantaged accounts, such as a 401(k) or IRA to invest.

Can financial advisors receive commission?

Instead they must charge you a fee for the advice. But if you're getting advice on: mortgages, equity release, general insurance (like travel or home insurance) or protection insurance, such as life insurance, advisers can still be paid commission.