Question:
If I invest money that I’ve already paid maaser on into the S&P 500 or similar investments, how do I handle maaser on the gains? Do I pay maaser as the investment grows, or only when I sell/withdraw and actually realize the profit? And how should dividends/reinvested earnings and any losses be factored in?
Answer:
Hello,
You would give maaser only on the gains, not on the principal, because maaser was already given on that sum. Even on the profits, you do not have to give maaser until you withdraw the money, and the same applies to reinvested dividends. Let's say you invest 50k of money that was already "maasered," and you make 5k in dividends and 10k in actual appreciation. Now your account is 65k. You withdraw 5k to use; you would give $500 to maaser on the profit of those 5k. When you withdraw the other 10k, you will give maaser on it.
Best wishes
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