<prompt> Human: Sort of a newb at investing. Im invested in the VTI index fund and based on their dividend history it looks like they will issue one very soon. Does it make sense to make a big investment in VTI now so that I can maximize this dividend? Im too new to investing to know if that is smart or dumb.  <response>: It can depend on your account.Think about dividends before investing a large amountDividends are announced several days or weeks before theyre paid. It could seem like a good idea to buy shares of a stock or fund just in time to get the dividend paymentbut in many cases, its not.If youre investing through a tax-deferred account, dividends wont impact your tax situation. But if youre investing through a taxable account, these dividend payments will lead to additional taxes for you.Read through the example at Vanguards Buying a dividend 