Dividends are payments that investors can receive from stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and mutual funds. These earnings count as income and may be taxable, depending on your income and filing status.

We’ll investigate dividend tax rates and the difference between ordinary and qualified dividends.

Defining Ordinary and Qualified Dividends

The IRS divides stock dividends into two categories: ordinary and qualified. The federal tax rate is different for each category. A qualified dividend is one that qualifies for a lower tax rate based on the concept of capital gains. An ordinary dividend, meanwhile, is one that doesn’t that doesn’t qualify for a lower rate.

When a company declares a dividend payment, your dividend is ordinary if you’ve held their stock for less than 61 days over a 121-day period. If, however, you make the stock purchase on or before the date that it’s declared, and then hold it for at least 61 days, it is considered qualified.

The timing also matters. Let’s say that you own stock in Company A, and they announce that a dividend will be paid on December 1. The day before, November 30, is called the ex-dividend date, or ex-date. If you bought your shares of stock 60 days or fewer before November 30, then your dividend is ordinary. But if you bought the stock more than 60 days before November 30, your dividend is qualified.

Qualified Dividend Documentation

When it’s tax time, you’ll receive a 1099-DIV. This is the form that financial institutions use to report dividends to the IRS and relevant taxpayers. Box 1a shows the total ordinary dividends you received during this tax period. Box 1b shows your qualified dividends. The form will also show any federal or state income tax that was withheld. You can use this information plus the federal dividend tax rate to determine what you owe.

Financial institutions must issue a 1099-DIV to shareholders who receive more than $10 in dividends and other distributions for the year. For more on tax documentation, read our story on the most common types of tax forms.

Tax Information for Ordinary and Qualified Dividends

The ordinary dividend tax rate is the same as an individual’s income tax bracket for the year.

The qualified dividend tax rate for 2022 is calculated using capital gains tax rates. This may be 0% depending on your taxable income and filing status:

•   Less than $41,676 for single or married filing separately.

•   Less than $55,801 for head of household.

•   Less than $83,351 for married filing jointly or qualifying widow(er).

The qualified dividend tax rate rises to 15% for the next tax brackets:

•   $41,676 to $459,750 for single filers.

•   $41,676 to $258,600 for married filing separately.

•   $55,801 to $488,500 for head of household.

•   $83,351 to $517,200 for married filing jointly or qualifying widow(er).

Once your household income exceeds the 15% bracket, you’ll pay a 20% tax rate on any qualified dividends. There may also be a 3.8% net investment income tax. Consult your accountant or financial advisor regarding your situation.

Recommended: 2022 IRS Tax Refund Dates

Dividend Tax Rate 2021

The thresholds can change by year. For example, the dividend tax rate for 2021 was as follows:

•   0% dividend tax rate:

◦   Single filers, up to $40,400

◦   Married filing jointly, up to $80,800

•   15% dividend tax rate:

◦   Single filers, $40,401–$445,850

◦   Married filing jointly, $80,801–$501,600

•   20% dividend tax rate:

◦   Single filers, $445,851+

◦   Married filing jointly, $501,601+

Dividend Tax Rate 2023

Looking ahead, we’ve got some insights into the 2023 tax year. A married couple filing jointly won’t pay taxes on qualified dividends until their income is above $89,250. Above that amount, the tax rate will be 15%. The tax raise will go up to 20 percent when a couple earns more than $553,850.

Individual filers won’t pay 15% until their income is greater than $44,625. They’ll pay 20% when income exceeds $492,301.

Why Are the Two Types of Dividends Taxed Differently?

Qualified dividends are more favorably taxed as an incentive to investors to hold onto stocks for a longer period of time. This is based on the concept of capital gains.

Recommended: Short-term vs. Long-term Investments

Additional Qualified Dividend Requirements

Besides the holding period described above, the dividend must have been paid by a corporation in the U.S. or a qualifying foreign one. Plus, the payment can’t be a dividend in name only. For example, payments given by tax-exempt agencies don’t qualify.

If a payment doesn’t satisfy all three requirements, then it can’t be a qualified dividend. It may be an ordinary dividend or another type of income.

The Takeaway

There are two broad types of dividends: ordinary and qualified. Qualified dividends are taxed at a lower rate than ordinary dividends. For a dividend to be qualified, an investor must hold the stock for at least 61 days during a particular time frame. A 1099-DIV will break out dividends into qualified and ordinary for the taxpayer’s information. There are three tax rates for qualified dividends. The lowest tax brackets pay nothing. The next brackets pay 15%, and the highest brackets pay 20%. Ordinary dividends are taxed as regular income.

FAQ

What is the tax rate on dividends in 2022?

The ordinary dividend tax rate is based on your tax bracket. With a qualified dividend tax rate, it depends on your filing status and your income. The lowest tax brackets pay nothing, the middle brackets pay 15%, and the highest brackets pay 20%.

How do I calculate my qualified dividends?

Investors receive form 1099-DIV from their financial institution, which provides the amount of ordinary and qualified dividend income received during the year. The IRS also provides a worksheet.

Why are my qualified dividends being taxed?

Dividends are a type of income, and investors who receive them typically pay taxes on them. It’s true that individuals who make less than $41,676 pay no tax on qualified dividends. However, taxpayers in higher brackets must pay 15% or 20%.

Learn More:

• Does Net Worth Include Home Equity?
• What Is a Dividend?

This article originally appeared on SoFi.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.

SoFi’s Insights tool offers users the ability to connect both in-house accounts and external accounts using Plaid, Inc’s service. When you use the service to connect an account, you authorize SoFi to obtain account information from any external accounts as set forth in SoFi’s Terms of Use. SoFi assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy, deletion, non-delivery or failure to store any user data, loss of user data, communications, or personalization settings. You shall confirm the accuracy of Plaid data through sources independent of SoFi. The credit score provided to you is a Vantage Score® based on TransUnion™ (the “Processing Agent”) data.
*Terms and conditions apply. (Must click on the link to be eligible.) This offer is only available to new SoFi users without existing SoFi accounts. It is non-transferable. One offer per person. To receive the Rewards points offer, you must successfully complete setting up Credit Score Monitoring. Rewards points may only be redeemed into SoFi accounts such as cash in SoFi Checking and Savings or loan balances, Stock Bits, fractional shares and cryptocurrency subject to program terms that may be found here: SoFi Member Rewards Terms and Conditions. SoFi reserves the right to modify or discontinue this offer at any time without notice.
Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

More from MediaFeed:

49 surprising facts about American taxes & taxpayers