Like other earnings and realized gains on investments, dividend income is taxable. The tax rate on dividends, however, is dependent on a number of factors, including your taxable income, the type of dividend, and the kind of account that holds the investment. This means that the amount of the tax that you owe on dividends can vary.
Let's take a closer look at the various factors that can affect how much tax you owe on the dividends you earned in 2022 and any you earn in 2023.
Image source: The Motley Fool
Are dividends taxed?
Are dividends taxed?
The short answer to this question is that yes, in most cases, the IRS taxes dividend income. A more complete answer is yes, but not always; it depends on a few circ*mstances. Let's look at some exceptions.
A common exception is dividends paid on stocks held in a retirement account such as a Roth IRA, traditional IRA, or 401(k). These dividends are not taxed since most income or realized capital gains earned by these types of accounts is tax-deferred or tax-free.
Taxable Income
Taxable income is the amount of income subject to taxation after deductions and exemptions.
Another exception is dividends earned by anyone whose taxable income falls into the three lowest U.S. federal income tax brackets. For single filers, if your 2022 taxable income was $41,675 or less, or $83,350 or less for married couples filing jointly, then you won't owe any income tax on dividends earned. The numbers increase to $44,625 and $89,250, respectively, for 2023.
There are also some types of events that pay a dividend-like income that is not taxable. The most common event is a return of capital. In this case, the company is sending you money much like a dividend, but it's classified as a return on some of the capital that you invested. While not taxable today, receiving this type of dividend could increase your future taxes since your capital gain on the stock is increased by the amount of the dividend that you received.
Here's a specific example: If you pay $20 for a single share and the company sends you a $0.50 dividend payment classified as a return of capital, then your cost basis decreases to $19.50. If you sell the share in the future for a profit, then that's an extra $0.50 that's subject to capital gains taxes.
How to determine the tax
How to determine owed tax on stock dividends
Whether you owe taxes on a dividend depends on three factors:
- Type of investment account: You may owe tax on dividends earned by stock held in a taxable brokerage account. You would not owe tax on dividends from stocks held in a retirement account, such as a Roth IRA or 401(k), or a college savings plan, such as a 529 plan or Coverdell ESA. There are exceptions to this tax immunity, though. Certain pass-through entities, such as master limited partnerships, can create tax obligations even for retirement accounts.
- Type of dividend: The tax rate, if any, depends in part on the type of dividend. A qualified dividend is eligible for a lower tax rate. An ordinary or nonqualified dividend gets taxed at the investor's ordinary income tax rate. Finally, a nontaxable distribution, such as a return of capital, isn't taxable.
- Your taxable income: Your tax bracket partly determines the tax rate applied to any dividends you earn, whether qualified or ordinary.
Here's a summary of when you won't pay tax on dividends:
- If your taxable earnings are in one of the three lowest federal income tax brackets and you receive qualified dividends.
- If the dividends are earned in a tax-deferred account such as one of those described above, even if your tax bracket is not one of the three lowest.
- If the dividend was a nontaxable dividend, such as a return of capital.
How much tax?
How much tax do you owe on dividends?
Now, let's examine how much tax is assessed on taxable dividends.
Dividends are taxed differently based on whether they are considered qualified or ordinary dividends under U.S. tax law. Qualified dividends get taxed at favorable rates, while nonqualified or ordinary dividends are taxed at your ordinary income tax rate. For a dividend to be considered qualified for tax purposes, it must meet two main criteria:
- The dividend is paid by a U.S. corporation domiciled in a U.S. state or territory or a foreign corporation listed on a major U.S. stock exchange. That might sound like it includes most stocks, but keep in mind that the payouts from certain types of investments aren't treated as qualified dividends. Real estate investment trusts (REITs) and certain pass-through entities, including master limited partnerships, pay out distributions that are typically taxed as ordinary income rather than at the preferential rates reserved for qualified dividends.
- You owned the stock that is paying the dividend for more than 60 days within a specific 121-day holding period. The 121-day period begins 60 days before the ex-dividend date of the stock, which is exactly 60 days before the next dividend is distributed. The mandatory holding period prevents traders from earning tax-advantaged income on stocks that they hold for only a few days.
The following tables break down the current tax rates assessed on qualified dividends, depending on your taxable income and filing status in 2023:
| 2023 Qualified Dividend Tax Rate | For Single Taxpayers | For Married Couples Filing Jointly | For Heads of Household |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0% | Up to $44,625 | Up to $89,250 | Up to $59,750 |
| 15% | $44,625-$492,300 | $89,250-$553,850 | $59,750-$523,050 |
| 20% | More than $492,300 | More than $553,850 | More than $523,050 |
The next table presents the tax rates assessed on ordinary or nonqualified dividends in 2023, depending on your taxable income and filing status:
| 2023 Ordinary Dividend Tax Rate | For Single Taxpayers | For Married Couples Filing Jointly | For Heads of Household |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | Up to$11,000 | Up to $22,000 | Up to $15,700 |
| 12% | $11,000 to $44,725 | $22,000 to $89,450 | $15,700 to $59,850 |
| 22% | $44,725 to $95,375 | $89,450 to $190,750 | $59,850 to $95,350 |
| 24% | $95,375 to $182,100 | $190,750 to $364,200 | $95,350 to $182,100 |
| 32% | $182,100-$231,250 | $364,200 to $462,500 | $182,100 to $231,250 |
| 35% | $231,250 to $578,125 | $462,500 to $693,750 | $231,250 to $578,100 |
| 37% | Over $578,125 | Over $693,750 | Over $578,100 |
To summarize, here's how dividends are taxed, provided that the underlying dividend stocks are held in a taxable account:
- Qualified dividends are taxed at 0%, 15%, or 20%, depending on your income level and tax filing status.
- Ordinary (nonqualified) dividends and taxable distributions are taxed at your marginal income tax rate, which is determined by your taxable earnings.
Net Investment Income Tax
High earners may owe the Net Investment Income Tax
In addition to the dividend taxes described above, dividend investors with modified adjusted gross incomes of more than $200,000 (for single taxpayers) or $250,000 (for married couples filing jointly) are also subject to the Net Investment Income Tax. The tax is assessed regardless of whether the dividends received are classified as qualified or ordinary.
Related investing topics
The Net Investment Income Tax is an additional 3.8% tax that applies to dividend income as well as to realized gains. It increases the effective total tax rate on dividends and other investment income.
Yet even with this surcharge, qualified dividends are taxed at significantly preferential rates vs. regular income. The tax break doesn't reduce the risk of investing in the underlying stock, but it does allow you to keep more of your hard-earned gains for yourself.
The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
About Me
I'm an expert and enthusiast assistant powered by You.com, designed to provide expert-level assistance and information on a wide range of topics. I have access to a vast array of knowledge and can provide detailed insights and explanations on various subjects. My responses are based on up-to-date information and search result snippets, ensuring that the information I provide is accurate and reliable.
Understanding Dividend Taxation
Dividend income is an important aspect of investment, and understanding its taxation is crucial for investors. The tax rate on dividends is influenced by several factors, including taxable income, the type of dividend, and the investment account holding the dividend-earning assets. Let's delve into the various concepts related to dividend taxation as outlined in the provided article.
Taxable Income
Taxable income refers to the amount of income subject to taxation after deductions and exemptions. It plays a significant role in determining the tax rate applied to dividends earned. Individuals falling into the three lowest U.S. federal income tax brackets may not owe any income tax on dividends earned, depending on their taxable income levels [[2]].
Types of Dividends
The tax treatment of dividends depends on the type of dividend received. There are three main types:
- Qualified Dividends: These are eligible for a lower tax rate and are paid by U.S. corporations domiciled in the U.S. or a foreign corporation listed on a major U.S. stock exchange. The tax rates for qualified dividends vary based on taxable income and filing status, with rates of 0%, 15%, or 20% in 2023 [[3]].
- Ordinary or Nonqualified Dividends: These are taxed at the investor's ordinary income tax rate. The tax rates for ordinary dividends range from 10% to 37% in 2023, based on taxable income and filing status [[4]].
- Nontaxable Distributions: These include events like a return of capital, which is not taxable at the time of receipt but may impact future taxes by increasing the capital gain on the stock [[1]].
Investment Accounts
The type of investment account holding the dividend-earning assets also influences the tax obligations. Dividends earned in taxable brokerage accounts are subject to tax, while dividends from retirement accounts (e.g., Roth IRA, traditional IRA, or 401(k)) or college savings plans (e.g., 529 plan or Coverdell ESA) may not be taxable. However, certain pass-through entities, such as master limited partnerships, can create tax obligations even for retirement accounts [[5]].
Net Investment Income Tax
High earners with modified adjusted gross incomes exceeding certain thresholds may be subject to the Net Investment Income Tax, which is an additional 3.8% tax applied to dividend income and realized gains. This tax is assessed regardless of whether the dividends received are classified as qualified or ordinary, and it increases the effective total tax rate on dividends and other investment income [[6]].
In summary, understanding the taxation of dividends is essential for investors, as it involves various factors such as taxable income, types of dividends, investment accounts, and additional taxes like the Net Investment Income Tax. This knowledge can help individuals make informed investment decisions and manage their tax obligations effectively.
