Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) (2024)

FAQs

Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT)? ›

Basics of the Net Investment Income Tax

Those who are subject to the tax will pay 3.8 percent on the lesser of the following: their net investment income or the amount by which their modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) extends beyond their specific income threshold. Net investment income typically includes the following: interest. dividends.

Accordingly, the net investment income tax (NIIT) will take a 3.8% bite out of a portion of your investment earnings. There are, however, a number of restrictions on what the NIIT does and doesn't apply to. Take a look through our detailed guide below for more insight.

As an investor, you may owe an additional 3.8% tax called net investment income tax (NIIT). But you'll only owe it if you have investment income and your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) goes over a certain amount.

A Medicare surtax of 3.8% is charged on the lesser of (1) net investment income or (2) the excess of modified adjusted gross income over a set threshold amount. The threshold is $250,000 for joint filers, $125,000 for married filing separately, and $200,000 for all other filers.

The net investment income tax (NIIT) is a 3.8% tax that kicks in if you have investment income and your income exceeds $200,000 for single filers, $250,000 for those married filing jointly or $125,000 for those married filing separately.

The NIIT doesn't apply to wages, unemployment compensation, or income from a nonpassive business. The NIIT also doesn't apply to certain types of income that taxpayers can The NIIT doesn't apply to wages, unemployment compensation, or income from a nonpassive business.

Sell investments at a loss to offset investment gains. Defer capital gain, such as selling the investment in the future instead of selling it now. Use Section 1031 like-kind exchange which is selling an investment property and using that money to buy another investment property.

Overview of the NIIT

The NIIT is equal to 3.8% of the net investment income of individuals, estates, and certain trusts. Net investment income includes interest, dividends, annuities, royalties, certain rents, and certain other passive business income not subject to the corporate tax.

What Qualifies as Net Investment Income? Net investment income is any money earned from an investment vehicle. This includes interest, capital gains, royalties, rent payments, dividends, and certain payments from annuities. It may come from stocks, bonds, investment properties, mutual funds, and other investments.

Does everyone pay net investment income tax? ›

Find out if Net Investment Income Tax applies to you

The statutory threshold amounts are: Married filing jointly — $250,000, Married filing separately — $125,000, Single or head of household — $200,000, or.

2. What is the net investment income tax threshold for 2024? The NIIT thresholds for 2024 are typically $200,000 for single or head of household, $250,000 for married filing jointly, and $125,000 for married filing separately. However, these can be adjusted for inflation, so check the latest IRS updates.

This net investment income tax also applies to certain trusts and estates. It does not apply to corporations and other “active” businesses. It does not apply to trusts associated with IRAs or pension plans.

Although distributions from a traditional IRA aren't subject to NIIT, they do increase your modified adjusted gross income, which can trigger or increase the NIIT. This is true for the conversion to a Roth IRA. Distributions from Roth IRAs are excluded from gross income, so they aren't subject to NIIT.

So yes it turns out that the 3.8% NIIT applies to both short- and long-term capital gains. However, it doesn't mean that short-term capital gains are taxed higher than income, but rather the same.

The NIIT only affects individuals, trusts and estates, and any entities with pass-through income from investments, for e.g. tax partnerships and S-corporations.

Look for ways to minimize your AGI. The lower your AGI (the number at the bottom of the TAX-FORM 1040) the lower the amount of your income will be subject to the 3.8% surtax. Need another reason to contribute to your retirement plan? Making contributions to your 401k, 403b or pension will lower your AGI.

Any individual with modified adjusted gross income over $200,000 ($250,000 for married filing jointly) may be subject to the tax. Investment income includes income from businesses involved in financial instruments or commodities. It also includes foreign income, and other types of investment income.