Monday 27 January 2014

IRS Publication 550

IRS publication 550 involves information for the taxpayers on the use of investment income/expenses during filing of income tax returns. One issue that dogs the individual when filing tax returns is about qualifying dividends. The first question that arises is how to differentiate between qualified and simple dividends. In addition, it is important to understand how qualified dividends can help in reducing your taxes. Publication 550 explains all this and more.
What is a Dividend?
It is the amount paid by corporations to stockholders. This may be in the form of cash, stock, or property. These represent profits that corporations earn over a period. The Internal Revenue Service considers it as income and therefore levies taxes. Simple dividends work as ordinary income; however, taxes on qualified dividends use positive capital gain rates. There has to be a clear demarcation between simple and qualified dividends to avoid confrontation with revenue services that can land taxpayers into unnecessary problems.

IRS classification involving qualified dividends may lead to lower tax liabilities. One needs to calculate total taxes to qualified dividends and find reductions in the amounts owed. In general, mutual fund dividends and stocks come under qualified bracket. However, a clear idea on the same never hurts and a deep study of publication 550 provides the information.
Tax Extension Forms 2013

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