How much do you pay in taxes on dividends?

Qualified dividend income that exceeds the upper limits of the 15% bracket requires paying a 20% tax rate on any remaining qualifying dividend income. Depending on your specific tax situation, qualifying dividends may also be subject to net investment income tax of 3.8%. The tax rate on qualifying dividends is 0%, 15%, or 20%, depending on your taxable income and tax status. The tax rate on unqualified dividends is the same as your regular income tax bracket.

In both cases, people in the higher tax brackets pay a higher dividend tax rate. Dividends are taxed at the same rate as long-term capital gains, which is lower than the normal income tax rate. The main difference between dividends and other capital gains is that you'll receive a Form 1099-DIV for dividend income. In addition, dividends or payments from a real estate investment trust (REIT) are taxed as ordinary income and not at the lowest dividend tax rate.

Your dividends would then be taxed at 15%, while the rest of your income would follow federal income tax rates. With TurboTax Live Full Service Premium, have a specialized expert discover all the tax deductions and file your taxes on investments and self-employment. If you have any questions, you should schedule an appointment with a tax professional who can help you maximize your deductions to minimize your tax liability. You'll still have to pay taxes before or after you contribute the money, but you won't have to pay taxes as your savings grow in the account.

Owning domestic investments that pay dividends could protect dividends from taxes or defer taxes on them. Before 2003, all dividends issued by companies were taxed as ordinary income, meaning that you would pay the same tax rate for them as if you received your salary or salary. Qualified dividends are taxed at capital gain rates of 0%, 15%, or 20%, depending on their tax bracket. As the tax filing deadline approaches, you may be wondering what taxes you'll have to pay on your dividends and what exactly is a “qualified dividend.” The federal government taxes unqualified dividends according to regular income tax rates and brackets.

Since tax day is fast approaching, you'll want to make sure you know if any of the dividends you received are eligible, since you'll benefit from a lower tax rate.

Glenna Penrod
Glenna Penrod

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