Brokerage Account: What It Is and How to Open One in 2024 - NerdWallet (2024)

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What is a brokerage account?

A brokerage account is an investment account from which you can purchase investments such as stocks, bonds and mutual funds. You can add money to a brokerage account similar to the way you deposit funds into a bank account. Brokerage accounts have no contribution limits or early withdrawal penalties. They offer flexibility but lack the tax benefits found in retirement accounts.

» Already know the basics? Learn how to open a brokerage account

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How do brokerage accounts work?

You can open a brokerage account quickly online. Many brokerage firms allow you to open an account with no up-front deposit. However, you will need to fund the account before you buy investments. You can do that by moving money from your checking or savings account, or from another brokerage account.

You own the money and investments in your brokerage account, and you can sell investments at any time. The broker holds your account and acts as a middleman between you and the investments you want to buy.

There is no limit on the number of brokerage accounts you can have, or the amount of money you can put into a taxable brokerage account each year. There should be no fee to open a brokerage account.

» Learn more: When to open multiple brokerage accounts — and why

How to choose a brokerage account provider

There are two options that meet the needs of most investors: online brokers and robo-advisors. Both offer retirement accounts and taxable brokerage accounts.

"You want to be careful with which company you open your brokerage accounts with," says Wendy Moyers, a certified financial planner at Chevy Chase Trust in Bethesda, Maryland. "And you should be walking in with an awareness of what you’re going to be investing in. You want to do a little research."

Online brokerage account

If you want to purchase and manage your own investments, an online brokerage account is for you. An account with an online brokerage company enables you to buy and sell investments through the broker’s website. Discount brokers offer a range of investments, including stocks, mutual funds and bonds.

» Want to compare options? Check out our roundup of the best brokers for beginners.

Managed brokerage account

A managed brokerage account comes with investment management, either from a human investment advisor or a robo-advisor. A robo-advisor provides a low-cost alternative to hiring a human investment manager. These companies use computer programs to choose and manage your investments for you, based on your goals and timeline.

Robo-advisors may be a good fit for you if you’d like to be largely hands-off when it comes to your investments. We have a full list of the best robo-advisors.

» Get a bonus: View the best broker promotions right now

🤓Nerdy Tip

We don’t recommend investing money you need within the next five years. If you’re saving for a short-term goal, skip the brokerage or investment account and consider these options for short-term investments.

How to open a brokerage account

Setting up a brokerage account is simple. You can typically complete an application online in under 15 minutes. (In most states, you’ll need to be 18 to open your own account. Here’s how parents can set up a brokerage account for their kids.)

Once you've opened the account, you’ll need to deposit or transfer funds. That sounds complicated, but these days, it’s pretty simple to link your bank account with a brokerage account online.

Some brokers make you verify a transaction. If that’s the case, you’ll have to wait until the broker deposits a small sum in your bank account — typically a few cents. Then you’ll confirm the transaction by telling the brokerage the exact amount that was deposited. If you have any questions, the broker can walk you through the process. After the transfer is complete and your brokerage account is funded, you can start investing.

You might be asked if you want a cash account or a margin account. A margin account allows you to borrow money from the broker in order to make trades, but you'll pay interest and it's risky. Generally, it's best to stick with a cash account at first.

» Looking for some guidance to start investing? Here's how to invest in stocks

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Brokerage Account: What It Is and How to Open One in 2024 - NerdWallet (4)

Brokerage accounts are taxable accounts

The act of opening a brokerage account doesn’t mean you’ll be on the hook for any additional taxes. But brokerage accounts are also called taxable accounts, because investment income within a brokerage account is subject to capital gains taxes. Retirement accounts (such as IRAs) have a different set of tax and withdrawal rules. They may be better for retirement savings and investing.

"A lot of people think that brokerage accounts are 'non-tax advantaged,' but there are tax advantages," said Delyanne Barros, founder of Delyanne The Money Coach.

"The benefit of the brokerage account is leveraging the long-term capital gains tax," she said in an email interview. "In order to do that you must be a long- term investor. That means you have to hold your investments for over a year. Not only will this help you capture the most favorable tax bracket, but it will likely result in better returns." Depending on your taxable income and filing status, the long-term capital gains tax rate is 0%, 15% or 20%.

The key to reaping a brokerage account's advantages, Barros said, is to stay invested, ignore the day-to-day stock market noise, "and go live your life." Here are five brokerage account tax tips to keep in mind.

  1. If you buy stock through a brokerage account, you’ll probably have to pay capital gains tax if you sell it for a profit later.

  2. If you sell a stock a year or less after buying it, you may have to pay the the short-term capital gains tax. It's usually your ordinary income tax rate, and often higher than the long-term capital gains rate.

  3. If you sell an investment for a loss, then you can use that loss to offset some of your gains and reduce your capital gains tax burden.

  4. If the stock or fund you buy through a brokerage account pays dividends, you’ll have to pay taxes on those dividends even if you choose to reinvest them. If this is the case, your brokerage will send the relatively uncomplicated DIV-1099 tax form to include in your tax return.

  5. If you invest through a retirement account, you typically won’t have to worry about any of this.

» Ready to compare brokerage accounts? See our roundup of the best online brokers

Brokerage accounts vs. IRA

In a standard brokerage account you're contributing post-tax money. In most cases, your investment earnings will be taxed. On the plus side, there are very few rules for brokerage accounts. You can pull your money out at any time, for any reason, and invest as much as you’d like. (Here are our picks for the best brokerage accounts.)

In a Roth IRA, you also contribute post-tax money. Once you reach 59½ and have held your account for at least five years, you can take withdrawals, including earnings, without paying additional taxes.

"Ideally, you should have both, but prioritizing the Roth IRA is best so you can grow your money tax-free," said Barros.

Moyers also says the ideal situation is to have both, but it depends on your goals. An IRA is a good way to save money for retirement. But, she says, you are tying your money up for a long time.

"If you want to save money to buy a house, a brokerage account would be more appropriate," she says.

If you want to invest for retirement, you might want to open a retirement account rather than a taxable brokerage account. (Here are our picks for the best IRA accounts.)

You might already be investing for retirement through your work. Many companies offer an employer-sponsored plan such as a 401(k) and match your contributions. You can still open an IRA, but we recommend contributing at least enough to your 401(k) to earn that match first.

The table below compares brokerage accounts with retirement accounts.

Brokerage account

Retirement account

Taxes

May incur capitals gains tax on investment income; investments sold 1 year or less after buying are subject to ordinary income tax

Typically no capital gains; tax-deferred or tax-free growth

Contributions

Unlimited

Caps on annual contributions

Withdrawals

No limits or penalties

Penalties for withdrawing before a certain age, unless exceptions are met

Used primarily for

Stock trading, options trading, additional long-term investments after maxing out retirement accounts

Long-term growth, retirement savings

Frequently asked questions

What is the best brokerage account for beginners?

The best brokerage accounts for beginners tend to have zero account minimums, excellent customer support and an easy-to-use platform. Of the brokers NerdWallet reviews, TDAmeritrade, InteractiveBrokers, Fidelity and Charles Schwab received the highest marks in our list of the Best Online Brokers for Beginners.

Is there a minimum to open a brokerage account?

Most brokers don’t require an account minimum to get started. So if that’s a concern for you, look for a broker that doesn’t have one — there are plenty of great options out there that don’t require a minimum. Remember, though, that an account minimum is different from an investment minimum. An account minimum is an amount you would need to deposit into the brokerage account just to open it. An investment minimum might be found in an index fund, in which you would have to buy, say, $1,000 in shares to take part in the fund.

Should I open an IRA or a brokerage account?

Whether you should open an IRA or taxable brokerage account first depends on your situation and investment goals. Financial planners often recommend, first and foremost, to contribute at least enough to a company’s 401(k) plan to earn the company’s match, if that’s a possibility.

If not, then it may make sense to open an IRA before a brokerage account, as IRAs come with considerable tax advantages and are built for long-term growth. If you have an IRA and are already maxing it out, and either don’t have access to a 401(k) through work or already contributing enough to at least get your company’s match, then a brokerage account could be the next step.

See our cash flow infographic to get a better idea of how all this works.

Can I take money out of my brokerage account?

There are a few levels to getting money out of your brokerage account. If it’s invested in stocks, you’ll have to sell those stocks first. Then, once the money is available as cash in your account (which, these days, happens fairly instantaneously), you’ll still likely have to wait a few days before you can withdraw that cash. Once the trade “settles,” you can withdraw the cash, which can take another few days for the cash to appear in your bank account.

So, under normal circumstances, there shouldn’t be any problem getting cash out of your brokerage account, but keep in mind that it could be several days before it’s actually available in your bank account. For brokerages that offer cash management in addition to brokerage services, this process is much faster.

Brokerage Account: What It Is and How to Open One in 2024 - NerdWallet (2024)

FAQs

What is a brokerage account and how do you open one? ›

In principle, opening an online brokerage account is as simple as opening a bank account; you sign up and fund the account. However, there is one big difference: A brokerage account lets you start placing trades and investing your money.

Is opening a brokerage account a good idea? ›

Assuming you're already fully funding an employer-sponsored retirement account such as a 401(k) or individual retirement account (IRA), have an emergency fund and don't have excessive credit card debt, a brokerage account can be a useful addition to your financial portfolio.

What is the best brokerage account to start with? ›

Summary: Best Online Brokers for Beginners
CompanyForbes Advisor RatingBest For
TD Ameritrade4.6Best Online Broker for Educational Resources
Fidelity Investments4.4Runner Up, Best Online Broker for Educational Resources
E*TRADE3.6Best Online Broker for Ease of Use
Robinhood2.8Runner Up, Best Online Broker for Ease of Use
4 more rows
Apr 2, 2024

How to open a brokerage account for beginners? ›

You can open a brokerage account quickly online. Many brokerage firms allow you to open an account with no up-front deposit. However, you will need to fund the account before you buy investments. You can do that by moving money from your checking or savings account, or from another brokerage account.

Is there any downside to opening a brokerage account? ›

Cons of Brokerage Accounts

Depending on the type of assets you hold in your brokerage account, you may owe capital gains taxes, dividend taxes, or other taxes on your holdings.

How much money do you need to open a brokerage account? ›

Many brokerages don't have minimum starting deposits or ongoing balance requirements. That means you could open a brokerage account and start investing with whatever funds you have—whether that's $100 or $1,000.

Can you take money out of a brokerage account? ›

Many investors open a brokerage account to start saving for retirement. However, the flexibility of this type of account means you can withdraw at any time and use the funds for shorter-term goals, too, such as a new house, wedding, or big remodeling project. Your brokerage account can help you with: Trading stocks.

Do you pay taxes on a brokerage account? ›

Many people falsely believe that any gains or income earned in a taxable brokerage account are not taxable until withdrawn, but that isn't the case. You'll pay taxes on brokerage account income in the tax year you earn it.

Is your money safer in a bank or a brokerage account? ›

While bank balances are insured by the FDIC, investments in a brokerage account are covered by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). It protects investors in the unlikely event that their brokerage firm fails. However, certain rules and conditions apply—and investment earnings are not insured.

Should I use Fidelity or Charles Schwab? ›

Overall Appeal. Fidelity and Schwab are both excellent choices. These investment firms offer thousands of funds. There are some nuances, such as Fidelity being better for crypto traders and Schwab being more optimal for futures traders.

What is the safest brokerage firm? ›

Summary: Best Online Brokerage
CompanyForbes Advisor RatingLearn more CTA below text
Interactive Brokers4.4Via InteractiveBrokers' Secure Website
TD Ameritrade4.4Read Our Full Review
Fidelity Investments4.4Read Our Full Review
Charles Schwab4.3Read Our Full Review
1 more row
Apr 1, 2024

What is better than a brokerage account? ›

Brokerage vs.

A self-directed IRA or SDIRA offers the added advantage and flexibility of allowing you to invest in real estate (as investment property only). With IRAs, you'll generally have a minimum deposit requirement of $1,000 whereas many brokerage accounts have no minimums to get started.

Is it safe to link a bank account to a brokerage account? ›

Checking account linking is generally safe when you use the right investment platforms. Do your research before sharing your credentials! Know the investment platform is safe and that you are protected. If they share information with third parties or don't use bank-level encryption, look elsewhere.

How to avoid taxes on a brokerage account? ›

9 Ways to Avoid Capital Gains Taxes on Stocks
  1. Invest for the Long Term. ...
  2. Contribute to Your Retirement Accounts. ...
  3. Pick Your Cost Basis. ...
  4. Lower Your Tax Bracket. ...
  5. Harvest Losses to Offset Gains. ...
  6. Move to a Tax-Friendly State. ...
  7. Donate Stock to Charity. ...
  8. Invest in an Opportunity Zone.
Mar 6, 2024

Does opening a brokerage account affect credit? ›

Most investment accounts do not show up on your credit report. So, opening an investment account will generally not affect your credit score. Whether you are buying stocks with a credit card or investing by depositing cash into your account, your balance and investment performance will not impact your credit score.

Do you pay taxes on brokerage accounts? ›

Taxable brokerage accounts. An ordinary brokerage account that is not a retirement account is a taxable investment account. If you make money because your investments go up in value, or because your investments pay you dividends or interest, this income will be taxed.

Why do people open brokerage accounts? ›

Brokerage accounts can be used to purchase, hold, and sell stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, and more. Investors can open a standard brokerage account and an IRA brokerage account, in addition to having a retirement plan at work, to maximize their saving and investing opportunities.

How do you get money out of a brokerage account? ›

Can you pull money out of a brokerage account? Yes, you can pull money out of a brokerage account with a bank account transfer, a wire transfer, or by requesting a check. You can only withdraw cash, so if you want to withdraw more than your cash balance, you'll need to sell investments first.

Is a brokerage account better than a bank account? ›

Brokerage accounts often carry higher risks and costs, but much higher earning potential. On the flip side, savings accounts bring certainty and immediate access to all of your funds at a moment's notice.

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