Download PDF Version

Keep More of What You Earn with Sprott Physical Gold Trust (PHYS)

Sprott Physical Gold Trust (NYSE Arca: PHYS) lets you own physical gold in a convenient and secure way that has potentially favorable tax advantages for U.S. non-corporate investors, versus owning gold through ETFs or directly through coins or bullion. 

U.S. Tax Treatment if
Held Over 1 Year
Sprott Physical Gold Trust1
15% or 20%2
Taxed at Long-Term Capital Gains Tax Rate
Gold ETFs, Coins, Bullion
28%
Taxed at Collectibles Tax Rate

 

The PHYS Tax Advantage for U.S. Investors

This bar chart compares the after-tax returns of hypothetical investments of $100,000 in PHYS and a hypothetical gold ETF,3 for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ending 12/31/2020. For the PHYS example, we assume a 35% short-term capital gains tax rate4 for the 1 YR period and a 15% long-term capital gains tax rate for periods longer than one year. For the Hypothetical Gold ETF, we apply the 35% short-term capital gains tax rate4 for the 1 YR period and the 28% collectibles tax rate for periods longer than one year.

 

This chart represents hypothetical investment examples and is shown for illustrative purposes only.

PHYS is Classified as a PFIC, and Not a Collectible

PHYS Provides a Tax Advantage as a PFIC
Special U.S. federal income tax rules apply to holders of Sprott Physical Gold Trust (PHYS) because it is classified as Passive Foreign Investment Corporation (PFIC) by the IRS. If a U.S. non-corporate holder makes a timely QEF election each year by filing IRS Form 8621 with their federal income tax return, it will generally mitigate the otherwise adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning precious metals via coins, bullion or ETFs. Capital gains will be taxed at either 15% or 20% depending on the holder’s tax situation.6 For U.S. investors who purchase and sell PHYS in less than one year, short-term capital gains will be treated as ordinary income and will be taxed 10% to 37% depending on income level.

Sprott Trusts vs ETFs and Coins

Precious Metals are Usually Taxed as Collectibles at 28%
The IRS considers precious metals investments like gold ETFs, coins and bars, to be collectibles like art, rare books and fine wine. Provided you hold it for more than 1 year, the capital gains tax on your net gain from selling a collectible is 28%. This level of tax is considerably higher than the tax rate on most net capital gains, which is an average of 15% for most taxpayers, according to the IRS.5 For U.S. investors who purchase and sell a collectible in less than one year, short-term capital gains will be treated as ordinary income and will be taxed 10% to 37% depending on income level.

PHYS Offers Other Advantages

In addition to tax considerations, PHYS can offer several advantages when compared to other gold ETFs, including:

  Sprott Physical Gold Trust (PHYS) Hypothetical Gold ETF
Product & Tax Structure

Closed-End Exchange Listed Trust

  • Trade at premium or discount to NAV (net asset value)
  • Passive Foreign Investment Company (PFIC)

Example: Open-Ended ETF such as Grantor Trust

Tax Treatment if Held > 1 Year

Taxed at Long-Term Capital Gains Tax Rate

  • 15% or 20% depending on the holder’s filing status

Taxed at 28% Collectibles Tax Rate8

Redemptions Fully Redeemable for Physical Bullion Example: Physical Redemption Restricted to Authorized Participant Institutions
Storage/Custody
(Counter Party)

Gold Stored at Royal Canadian Mint

  • Crown Corporation backed by the full faith of the Government of Canada, AA+ rated sovereign

Example: Gold Stored in Commercial Bank Vaults such as HSBC or J.P.Morgan

Sub-Custodians
(Counter Party)
N/A; the Mint shall not assign or transfer its obligations Example: Commercial bank vaults can use sub-custodians for storage and other duties. These sub-custodians may themselves select sub-custodians to perform their duties, creating additional and unknown counterparty risks
Fees9 Total Annual Operating Expense Ratio of 0.45% Example: Total Annual Operating Expense Ratios typically range between 0.25% to 0.40%

The "Keep More" Math Explained

As of December 31, 2020 in $US 1 YR 3 YRS 5 YRS 10 YRS

Sprott Physical Gold Trust (PHYS): Based on NAV

Original Investment $100,000 $100,000 $100,000 $100,000
Investment Value at End of Period $123,744 $142,649 $173,494 $126,021
U.S. Tax Payable % Ordinary Income; ST Capital Gains Tax  (35%) Capital Gains Tax (LT 15%) Capital Gains Tax (LT 15%) Capital Gains Tax (LT 15%)

Tax Payable $

$8,311

$6,397

$11,024

$3,903

Investment Value After Taxes $115,434 $136,252 $162,470 $122,118
PHYS Before-Tax Return* 23.74% 12.57% 11.65% 2.34%
PHYS After-Tax Return* 15.43% 10.86% 10.19% 2.02%
 

Hypothetical Gold ETF3

Original Investment $100,000 $100,000 $100,000 $100,000
Investment Value at End of Period $123,744 $142,649 $173,494 $126,021
U.S. Tax Payable % Ordinary Income; ST Capital Gains Tax  (35%) Collectibles Tax 28%  Collectibles Tax 28%  Collectibles Tax 28%

Tax Payable $

 

$8,311

$11,942

$20,578

$7,286

Investment Value After Taxes $115,434 $130,708 $152,916 $118,735
Hypothetical Gold ETF Before-Tax Return* 23.74% 12.57% 11.65% 2.34%
Hypothetical Gold ETF After-Tax Return* 15.43% 9.34% 8.87% 1.73%

* Average annual total returns for the period. 

This table represents hypothetical investment examples and is shown for illustrative purposes only. The before-tax rates of return for PHYS are the historical annual compounded total returns including changes in unit value and reinvestment of all dividends or distributions and do not take into account sales, redemption, distribution or operational charges or income taxes payable by any unitholder that would have reduced returns. The hypothetical examples, including percentages and amounts of taxes payable and after-tax rate of return, are shown for illustrative purposes only and not intended to reflect future investment returns. The tax treatment outlined herein applies to U.S. non-corporate investors and may not result in the same outcome for investors taxable in Canada or other jurisdictions. This information is not to be relied upon as investment or tax advice. Please consult a tax professional for advice before taking any action.

Footnotes

1 Requires the timely filing of IRS Form 8621 with your tax return.
2 15% long-term capital gains tax rate for single filers earning between $40,000 to $441,450 per year; 20% long-term capital gains tax rate for married filers earning over $496,600 per year.
3 The performance of the "Hypothetical Gold ETF" is based on the historical performance of Sprott Physical Bullion Trust (PHYS) and treating it as an investment subject to the 28% collectibles tax.
4 For U.S. investors who purchase and sell PHYS in less than one year, short-term capital gains will be treated as ordinary income and will be taxed 10% to 37%, depending on income level.  As an example, 35% applies to U.S. single filers earning between $207,351 to $518,400.
5 Source: How Are Collectibles Taxed? Investopedia.
6 For more information, please see "Tax Considerations-U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations" in the Prospectus and always consult your tax accountant regarding your particular situation.
7 For U.S. non-corporate investors only; requires the timely filing of IRS Form 8621; units must be held for at least one year.
8 Applicable only if the shares are held for more than one year; the tax rates for capital gains recognized upon the sale of assets held by an individual U.S. shareholder for one year or less are generally the same as those at which ordinary income is taxed.
9 As of 12/31/2020.

The Trusts are closed-end funds established under the laws of the Province of Ontario in Canada. PHYS, PSLV, CEF and SPPP are available to U.S. investors by way of listings on the NYSE Arca pursuant to the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Trusts are not registered as investment companies under the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940.

††SESG is a U.S. registered exchange traded fund established pursuant to the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and is listed on the NYSE Arca.

Important Disclosure

The Sprott Physical Gold Trust is generally exposed to the multiple risks that have been identified and described in the prospectus. Please refer to the prospectus for a description of these risks. This material must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus. For an additional copy of the prospectus please visit https://sprott.com/investment-strategies/physical-bullion-trusts/gold/.

Precious metals investments are more volatile on a daily basis and have higher headline risk than other sectors as they tend to be more sensitive to economic data, political and regulatory events as well as underlying commodity prices. Precious metals investments have price fluctuations based on short-term dynamics partly driven by demand/supply and also by investment flows. Precious metals investments tend to react more sensitively to global events and economic data than other sectors.

Past performance is not an indication of future results. All data is in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted. The information provided is general in nature and is provided with the understanding that it may not be relied upon as, nor considered to be tax, legal, accounting or professional advice. Readers should consult with their own accountants and/or lawyers for advice on their specific circumstances before taking any action. Sprott Asset Management LP is the investment manager to the Sprott Physical Gold Trust (the “Trust”). Important information about the Trust, including the investment objectives and strategies, applicable management fees, and expenses, is contained in the prospectus. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. The indicated rates of return are the historical annual compounded total returns including changes in unit value and reinvestment of all distributions and do not take into account sales, redemption, distribution or operational charges or income taxes payable by any unitholder that would have reduced returns. You will usually pay brokerage fees to your dealer if you purchase or sell units of the Trusts on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) or the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). If the units are purchased or sold on the TSX or the NYSE, investors may pay more than the current net asset value when buying units or shares of the Trusts and may receive less than the current net asset value when selling them. Investment funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. The information contained herein does not constitute an offer or solicitation to anyone in the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation. Views expressed regarding a particular company, security, industry or market sector should not be considered an indication of trading intent of any investment funds managed by Sprott Asset Management LP. These views are not to be considered as investment advice nor should they be considered a recommendation to buy or sell.

Important Message

You are now leaving Sprott.com and entering a linked website. Sprott has partnered with ALPS in offering Sprott ETFs. For fact sheets, marketing materials, prospectuses, performance, expense information and other details about the ETFs, you will be directed to the ALPS/Sprott website at SprottETFs.com.

Continue to Sprott Exchange Traded Funds

Important Message

You are now leaving sprott.com and linking to a third-party website. Sprott assumes no liability for the content of this linked site and the material it presents, including without limitation, the accuracy, subject matter, quality or timeliness of the content. The fact that this link has been provided does not constitute an endorsement, authorization, sponsorship by or affiliation with Sprott with respect to the linked site or the material.

Continue