A brokerage account is a flexible investment account that allows you to invest in assets like stocks, ETFs, and other securities.
Unlike retirement accounts, brokerage accounts do not have special tax advantages—but they offer full flexibility and access to your money at any time.
What Is a Brokerage Account?
A brokerage account is a taxable investment account held with a financial institution.
With a brokerage account:
You can invest in a wide range of assets
There are no contribution limits
You can withdraw your money at any time
It’s one of the most straightforward ways to start investing and building wealth.
How Brokerage Accounts Work on Harvest
Harvest brokerage accounts are designed to be simple, guided, and aligned with your values.
Instead of selecting individual stocks or trading on your own, your account is managed through a professionally constructed portfolio.
With Harvest:
You are assigned a faith-aligned portfolio based on your goals and risk profile
Your investments are allocated across biblically screened ETFs
Harvest manages the portfolio on a discretionary basis, meaning trades and rebalancing are handled for you
You do not select or trade individual securities
This approach is designed to remove complexity and help you stay focused on long-term investing.
How It Works
You deposit money from your bank
Your funds are invested into your assigned portfolio
Harvest manages allocations and rebalancing over time
You can monitor performance and progress directly in the app.
Taxes in a Brokerage Account
Brokerage accounts are considered taxable accounts, meaning you may owe taxes on:
Capital gains when investments are sold for a profit
Dividends or interest earned from your investments
Taxes depend on factors like how long investments are held and your individual tax situation.
Withdrawals
Brokerage accounts offer flexibility:
You can request withdrawals at any time
There are no age restrictions
There are no early withdrawal penalties
However, there are a couple of important considerations:
Selling investments to fund a withdrawal may result in taxable gains or losses
After investments are sold, it may take a few business days for funds to settle before they are available to withdraw
Key Benefits of a Brokerage Account
Flexibility
No restrictions on when or how you use your money.
No Contribution Limits
Invest as much or as little as you want.
Professionally Managed
No need to pick or manage individual investments.
Aligned with Your Values
Invest in portfolios designed around biblical principles.
Who Should Consider a Brokerage Account?
A brokerage account may be a strong fit if:
You want to invest outside of retirement accounts
You need access to your money without restrictions
You prefer a guided, managed approach rather than self-directed trading
You are saving for short- or medium-term goals
Important Considerations
Brokerage accounts do not offer tax advantages like IRAs
Investment gains may be subject to taxes
You do not control individual security selection or trading
Investing involves risk, and account value can fluctuate
The Bottom Line
A Harvest brokerage account provides a simple, flexible way to invest—without the burden of managing individual investments.
It’s built for long-term stewardship, combining professional management with values-based investing.
Disclosure
This content is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. Harvest is a registered investment advisor. All investments involve risk, including the possible loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results.