After-Tax Return

After-Tax Return

The return on an investment after any applicable taxes on it are paid. For example, if one sells a house for $100,000 but owes $25,000 in taxes from the sale, the after-tax return on the house is only $75,000. The amount of the after-tax return may vary on the same investment depending on whether one owes income tax or capital gains tax. It should not be confused with the after-tax value, which is similar but is not contingent on the sale of an asset or the closing of an investment.