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If it’s one thing I have been getting questions about, it’s the new Net Investment Income Tax as calculated on Form 8960. Here’s something from the IRSon it…
Starting in 2013, some taxpayers may be subject to the Net
Investment Income Tax. You may owe this tax if you have income from
investments and your income for the year is more than certain limits. Here are
four things from the IRS that you should know about this tax:
1. Net Investment Income Tax. The law requires a tax of 3.8
percent on the lesser of either your net investment income or the amount by
which your modified adjusted gross income exceeds a threshold amount based on
your filing status.
2. Net investment income. This amount generally
includes income such as:
- interest
- dividends
- capital gains
- rental and royalty income
- non-qualified annuities
This list is not all-inclusive. Net investment income normally does not
include wages and most self-employment income. It does not include unemployment
compensation, Social Security benefits or alimony. Net investment income also
does not include any gain on the sale of your main home that you exclude from
your income.
After you add up your total investment income, you then subtract your
deductions that are properly allocable to this income. The result is your net
investment income. Refer to the instructions for Form
8960, Net Investment Income Tax for more on how to figure your net
investment income or MAGI.
3. Income threshold amounts. You may owe the tax
if you have net investment income and your modified adjusted gross income is
more than the following amount for your filing status:
Filing Status
Threshold Amount
Single or Head of household
$200,000
Married filing jointly $250,000
Married filing separately
$125,000
Qualifying widow(er) with a
child $250,000
4. How to report. If you owe this tax, you must
file Form
8960 with your federal tax return. If you had too little tax
withheld or did not pay enough estimated
taxes, you may have to pay an estimated
tax penalty.
