# The incomprehensible obsession with TER (Total Expense Ratios) - is it justified?

**URL:** <https://forum.mustachianpost.com/t/the-incomprehensible-obsession-with-ter-total-expense-ratios-is-it-justified/2123>\
**Category:** Investing / Portfolios\
**Created:** [May 5, 2019, 12:41am UTC](https://forum.mustachianpost.com/t/the-incomprehensible-obsession-with-ter-total-expense-ratios-is-it-justified/2123 "2019-05-05T00:41:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
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**Author:** ![bamboo](https://forum.mustachianpost.com/user_avatar/forum.mustachianpost.com/bamboo/32/587_2.png) [@bamboo](https://forum.mustachianpost.com/u/bamboo)\
**Post date:** [May 5, 2019, 4:54pm UTC](https://forum.mustachianpost.com/t/the-incomprehensible-obsession-with-ter-total-expense-ratios-is-it-justified/2123/7 "2019-05-05T16:54:18Z")

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I do understand that the 15% penalty on the dividend of US stock from Irish ETF, that is not recoverable is a loss of efficiency in the investment. I however want to make clear that there is some trade off here.  
If your marginal tax rate is 42% because you make good money and live in canton where the taxman is thirsty, then the 15% loss is only a 9% loss on the dividend after tax.  
I do not like to be exposed to US tax law through my ETF or investment. The 15% witholding tax is the price to pay to be completely shielded from sudden change in US tax law or inheritance problem.

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