Paying taxes on investment income | Vanguard (2024)

FAQs

Do I have to pay taxes on investment income? ›

Investment income may also be subject to an additional 3.8% tax if you're above a certain income threshold. In general, if your modified adjusted gross income is more than $200,000 (single filers) or $250,000 (married filing jointly), you may owe the tax. (These limits aren't currently indexed for inflation.)

What is the Capital Gains Tax rate? The amount of tax you're charged depends on which income tax band you fall into. Basic-rate taxpayers are charged 10% on their realised profits, while higher-rate (and additional rate) taxpayers must pay 20%.

Unlike an IRA or a 401(k), you can withdraw your money at any time, for any reason, with no tax or penalty from a brokerage account. How the returns from these accounts are taxed depends on how long you have held an asset when you choose to sell it.

Billionaires (usually) don't sell valuable stock. So how do they afford the daily expenses of life, whether it's a new pleasure boat or a social media company? They borrow against their stock. This revolving door of credit allows them to buy what they want without incurring a capital gains tax.

Tax-Exempt Mutual Funds

A tax-exempt mutual fund typically holds municipal bonds and other government securities. This type of fund can offer tax benefits, along with simplified diversification across different types of government securities. Before you invest, consider how much of a return a tax-exempt fund may offer.

Any interest or dividend income earned won't impact your tax-free allowances, such as the PSA or dividend allowance. Though there are limits to how much you can save each tax year, with the current ISA limit at £20,000. Find out more in: ISAs and other tax-efficient ways to save or invest.

Capital Gains Tax for People Over 65. For individuals over 65, capital gains tax applies at 0% for long-term gains on assets held over a year and 15% for short-term gains under a year. Despite age, the IRS determines tax based on asset sale profits, with no special breaks for those 65 and older.

If you don't report the cost basis, the IRS just assumes that the basis is $0 and so the stock's sale proceeds are fully taxable, maybe even at a higher short-term rate. The IRS may think you owe thousands or even tens of thousands more in taxes and wonder why you haven't paid up.

A 3.8 percent net investment income tax (NIIT) applies to individuals, estates, and trusts that have net investment income above applicable threshold amounts.

How to calculate tax on investment income? ›

Often, investment income includes interest and dividends. The income you receive from interest and unqualified dividends are generally taxed at your ordinary income tax rate.

Municipal Bonds

Like Treasury bonds, investors receive interest payments in the form of coupons, and their capital will be returned at maturity. Unlike Treasury bonds, however, interest earnings from municipal bonds are tax-free at the federal level.

Capital gains taxes

Selling an investment after holding it less than a year results in a short-term capital gain, which is taxed at ordinary income rates. Selling an investment after holding it more than a year results in a long-term capital gain, which is taxed according to separate long-term capital gains tax rates.

Use tax-advantaged accounts

Retirement accounts such as 401(k) plans, and individual retirement accounts offer tax-deferred investment. You don't pay income or capital gains taxes at all on the assets in the account. You'll just pay income taxes when you withdraw money from the account.

Capital gains, interest, and dividends from investments

Similarly, it may be necessary for you to make estimated tax payments on investment income. You can use the Qualified Dividends and Capital Gains Worksheet” available in IRS Publication 505 to estimate the additional tax liability.

Earned income may include wages, salary, tips, bonuses, and commissions. Income derived from investments and government benefit programs would not be considered earned income. Earned income is taxed differently from unearned income.

How do you avoid the net investment income tax? You can avoid the net investment income tax by keeping your MAGI below $200,000 for single filers, $250,000 for those married filing jointly or $125,000 for those married filing separately.