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U.S. Federal Personal Income Tax Rates—2014
Notes
• All amounts referred to in the table and the notes are denominated in U.S. dollars.
Taxation of capital gains
• Capital gains are taxed at a maximum tax rate of 20% for net long-term capital gains,
which applies to the sale of captial assets held for more than 12 months. This 20% rate,
which came into effect in 2013, applies to individuals taxed in the 39.6% tax bracket. A
lower rate of 0% applies to net long-term capital gains that would otherwise be taxed
in the 10% or 15% tax brackets and a rate of 15% applies to net long-term capital gains
which would otherwise be taxed in the 25%, 28%, 33% and 35% tax brackets.
• Gains from collectibles such as art, rugs or coins are not eligible for the full reduced rates,
and neither are gains from the sale of qualified small business (QSB) stock (in excess of
any excluded gains) and of real estate, generally to the extent of depreciation previously
claimed. The top tax rate is 28% for collectibles and QSB stock and 25% for recaptured
depreciation.
• Special rules also apply to sales of principal residences. Individuals are generally permitted
to exclude from taxable income up to $250,000 of gain ($500,000 for married individuals
filing joint returns) realized on the sale or exchange of a residence provided it was owned
and occupied as a principal residence for at least two years out of the five years prior to
the sale or exchange. Only one sale in any two-year period qualifies for the exclusion.
Taxation of dividends
• Qualified dividends are taxed as net capital gains at the rates outlined above. Dividends
which are not eligible for the capital gains rates are taxed as ordinary income.
• Dividends are eligible for these reduced tax rates if, in general, the shares are held for at
least 60 days.
• In general, dividends received from domestic and certain foreign corporations are eligible
for the reduced rates. Those received from passive foreign investment companies are
specifically excluded.
Net Investment Income Tax
• Starting in 2013, individuals are subject to a Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) equal to
3.8% of the lessor of:
1) Net investment income; or
2) The excess (if any) of modified adjusted gross income over the threshold amount.
• In general, Net Investment Income includes, but is not limited to, interest, dividends,
certain net gains, and rental and royalty income.
• The NIIT does not apply to any capital gain recognized on the sale of a principal residence
that is exempt from tax (see Taxation of capital gains above).
• The thresholds amounts with respect to the NIIT are as follows:
Filing Status
Threshold Amount
Single taxpayers
$250,000
Married individuals filings joint returns
125,000
Married individuals filing separate returns
200,000
Head of households
200,000
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