Moderate - tax implications on investment accounts
Close your Wealthfront account - step by step
1
Decide: withdraw cash or transfer investmentsFor cash accounts, simply withdraw. For investment accounts, selling triggers taxes - consider an in-kind ACATS transfer to another broker instead.
2
For the Cash Account: withdraw your balanceTransfer your money to your linked bank. Wealthfront's Cash Account has no closing complications since it is cash.
3
For Investment accounts: weigh selling vs transferringSelling your Wealthfront portfolio to withdraw cash is a taxable event if you have gains. An ACATS transfer moves holdings to another broker without selling.
4
Initiate closure at wealthfront.comLog in → Settings → close account, or contact support. Each account type (Cash, Investing, IRA) is closed separately.
5
Save tax documentsDownload your 1099 and statements before closing.
Wealthfront Cash Account is easy; investment accounts need tax planningClosing the Cash Account is as simple as withdrawing your money. Closing an Investing account by selling everything can create a tax bill if you have gains. For investment accounts, consider transferring holdings to another broker instead of selling.
Last verified - May 2026
Wealthfront account types close differently
Wealthfront offers Cash Accounts, automated Investing accounts, and IRAs. The Cash Account closes simply by withdrawing your balance. Investing accounts hold ETFs that, if sold, may trigger capital gains taxes - an ACATS transfer to another broker avoids this. IRAs have their own rollover rules; transfer to another IRA custodian to avoid tax penalties. Always download tax documents before closing.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I close my Wealthfront account?
- Withdraw cash (Cash Account) or transfer/sell holdings (Investing). Then request closure in Settings or via support. Each account type closes separately.
- Will closing Wealthfront cost me in taxes?
- Selling investments with gains triggers capital gains taxes. An ACATS transfer to another broker avoids selling. The Cash Account has no tax implications.
- Can I transfer my Wealthfront investments elsewhere?
- Yes. Use an ACATS transfer initiated by your new broker to move holdings in-kind without selling.