OT: Personal finance experts, what are costs associated with "sale of fund shares"

[echappist]

grazie mille for the answers!!! learn something new everyday. While @dem's post was most on point, I also learned from @NYCfixie's response that I still have time to contribute for 2017 and from @Peter P's post re: loading (all new concepts to me).

as a follow up question for @dem, why are the rates different for return after tax and return after tax + sale of fund? Does the latter also factor in taxes on short term capital gain and dividends?

they really ought to teach this sort of stuff in high school or college. I mean, if schools like Cornell require people learn how to swim, schools might as well require people learn how to swim figuratively in the ocean of personal finance .

heck, I didn't even know that I could qualify for Roth IRA until i read a post on another cycling-related forum. I had thought that I wouldn't qualify, as I already participate in a 401(k) type plan