Compare a high-yield savings account, certificate of deposit, and U.S. Treasury using after-tax earnings, changing rates, early withdrawal costs, and liquidity.
Best after-tax balance
$25,806
U.S. Treasury
Advantage
$17
Over the next-best option after 12 months
CD withdrawal cost
$0
No early withdrawal at this horizon
After-tax recommendation
U.S. Treasury produces the highest modeled after-tax balance at $25,806. Its advantage over the next-best result is $17.
Yield is only part of the decision. Keep near-term emergency money liquid, confirm deposit insurance and account terms, and match CD or Treasury maturity to when you need the funds.
Interest comparison
- Gross interest
- After-tax interest
Detailed comparison
| Option | Comparable APY | Gross interest | Tax + penalty | After-tax balance | Liquidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High-yield savings | 3.95% | $988 | $286 | $25,701 | Anytime; rate can change |
| Certificate of deposit | 4.45% | $1,111 | $322 | $25,789 | Available at maturity |
| U.S. Treasury | 4.24% | $1,061 | $255 | $25,806 | Marketable; price can vary before maturity |
How this calculator works
Rates are treated as nominal annual rates using the selected compounding frequency. Comparable APY annualizes each option's realized pre-tax growth over the entered horizon, including a CD penalty or idle time after CD maturity. The HYSA scenario changes the rate gradually over the comparison horizon and floors the modeled rate at 0%.
Federal and state marginal rates are applied to modeled interest. Treasury interest is excluded from state tax. Actual tax treatment, CD penalties, bank compounding, Treasury pricing, and reinvestment rules can differ, so verify the offering documents before investing.
Reference material: TreasuryDirect marketable securities, IRS Topic 403, and FDIC deposit insurance guidance.
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