Non-Taxable Distribution Defintion and Examples (2024)

What Is a Non-Taxable Distribution?

A non-taxable distribution is a payment to shareholders. It is similar to a dividend, but it represents a share of a company's capital rather than its earnings. Contrary to what the name might imply, it's not really non-taxable. It's just not taxed until the investor sells the stock of the company that issued the distribution. Non-taxable distributionsreduce the basis of the stock.

Stock received from a corporate spinoff may be transferred to stockholders as a non-taxable distribution. Dividends paid to cash-value life insurance policyholders are considered non-taxable distributions.

Non-taxable distributions also may be referred to as non-dividend distributions or return of capital distributions.

Key Takeaways

  • A non-taxable distribution may be a stock dividend, a stock split, or a distribution from a corporate liquidation.
  • A non-taxable distribution is only taxable when you sell the stock of the corporation that issued the distribution.
  • The non-taxable distribution is reported to the IRS as a reduction in the cost basis of the stock.

Understanding Non-Taxable Distributions

A non-taxable distribution to shareholders is not paid from the earnings or profits of a company or a mutual fund. It is a return of capital, meaning that investors are getting back some of the money they invested in the company.

Examples of non-taxable distributions include stock dividends, stock splits, stock rights, and distributions received from a partial or complete liquidation of a corporation.

The distribution is a non-taxable event when it is disbursed, but it will be taxable when the stock is sold. Shareholders who receive non-taxable distributions must reduce the cost basis of their stock accordingly. When the shareholder sells the stock, the capital gain or loss that results will be calculated from the adjusted basis.

For example, say an investor purchases 100 shares of a stock for $800. During the tax year, the investor receives a non-taxable distribution of $90 from the company. The cost basis will be adjusted to $710 (the price paid for the shares minus the distribution). The following year, the investor sells the shares for $1,000. For tax purposes, the investor's capital gain is $290 (the $200 profit plus the $90 distribution).

The amount of a non-dividend distribution is usually smaller than the investor’s basis in the shares. In the rare case in which the distribution is more than the basis, the shareholder must reduce their cost basis to zero and report the excess amount of the distribution as a capital gain on IRS Form Schedule D.

For example, assume the investor in the example above receives a total of $890 in non-taxable dividends. The first $800 of the distribution will reduce the cost basis to zero. The remaining $90 must be reported as a short- or long-term capital gain, depending on whether the shares were held for a year or less.

Non-taxable distributions are generally reported in Box 3 of Form 1099-DIV. Return of capital shows up under the “Non-Dividend Distributions” column on the form. The investor may receive this form from the company that paid the dividend. If not, the distribution may be reported as an ordinary dividend. IRS Publication 550 provides detailed information to investors about reporting requirements for investment income, including non-dividend distribution income.

Non-Taxable Distribution Defintion and Examples (2024)

FAQs

Non-Taxable Distribution Defintion and Examples? ›

It is a return of capital

return of capital
Return of capital (ROC) is a payment, or return, received from an investment that is not considered a taxable event and is not taxed as income. Capital is returned, for example, on retirement accounts and permanent life insurance policies; regular investment accounts return gains first.
https://www.investopedia.com › terms › returnofcapital
, meaning that investors are getting back some of the money they invested in the company. Examples of non-taxable distributions include stock dividends, stock splits, stock rights, and distributions received from a partial or complete liquidation of a corporation.

What is a non-taxable distribution? ›

Nontaxable distributions are payments that are a return of capital. This means that the shareholder's original investment is being returned to the shareholder. These payments are not paid from the corporation's earnings and profits.

What is an example of a taxable distribution? ›

This distribution is considered a taxable distribution because it is a generation-skipping transfer to a skip person. Example 2: A father establishes a trust for his son, with the assets passing to his grandson upon the son's death. When the son dies, the trust distributes the assets to the grandson.

What are examples of nondividend distributions? ›

Non-dividend distributions typically include various corporate actions such as stock splits, stock dividends, or the distribution of assets other than cash, like property or stock in another corporation. The key distinction is that these distributions are not considered taxable income for shareholders when received.

Do non-taxable dividends count as income? ›

All dividends paid to shareholders must be included on their gross income, but qualified dividends will get more favorable tax treatment. A qualified dividend is taxed at the capital gains tax rate, while ordinary dividends are taxed at standard federal income tax rates.

How do I know if my distribution is taxable? ›

Distributions from retirement plans must be included in income unless they represent an employee's own contribution, such as after-tax employee contributions, or if the distribution is a qualified distribution from a designated Roth account. If the employee is under age 59 ½, see tax on early distributions.

What is considered non taxable? ›

Nontaxable income won't be taxed, whether or not you enter it on your tax return. The following items are deemed nontaxable by the IRS: Inheritances, gifts and bequests. Cash rebates on items you purchase from a retailer, manufacturer or dealer.

Do I have to pay taxes on distributions? ›

Dividends come exclusively from your business's profits and count as taxable income for you and other owners. General corporations, unlike S-Corps and LLCs, pay corporate tax on their profits. Distributions that are paid out after that are considered “after-tax” and are taxable to the owners that receive them.

What is a nontaxable IRA distribution? ›

When taking distributions from your traditional IRA in retirement, you'll pay taxes on investment gains. However, the money that you contributed as part of the nondeductible IRA is withdrawn without taxes because you didn't take a deduction when you first put it in.

Are LLC distributions taxable income? ›

In most cases, the IRS treats multi-member LLCs as partnerships. Distributions are usually not taxable to the LLC itself, and any profits or losses pass through to the members' personal tax returns.

How do I report nondividend distributions on my taxes? ›

Non-taxable distributions are generally reported in Box 3 of Form 1099-DIV. Return of capital shows up under the “Non-Dividend Distributions” column on the form. The investor may receive this form from the company that paid the dividend. If not, the distribution may be reported as an ordinary dividend.

What is the non taxable dividend income? ›

For the financial year 2021-2022, you can receive up to ₹5,000 in dividend income in India without being taxed. Any dividend income you receive beyond this limit will be taxed according to the applicable tax rates and regulations.

Are dividends considered distributions? ›

Dividends are the most common type of distribution from a corporation. They're paid out of the earnings and profits of the corporation. Dividends can be classified either as ordinary or qualified.

What is an example of a non-taxable dividend? ›

Nontaxable dividends are dividends from a mutual fund or some other regulated investment company that are not subject to taxes. These funds are often not taxed because they invest in municipal or other tax-exempt securities.

What dividend is tax-free? ›

The tax-free dividend allowance for the 2023/24 financial year has been halved from £2,000 (the year before) to £1,000. This means that any individual who receives over £1,000 in dividend income will be liable to pay tax on the excess of their marginal rate.

Do I have to file a tax return if my only income is dividends? ›

If you had over $1,500 of ordinary dividends or you received ordinary dividends in your name that actually belong to someone else, you must file Schedule B (Form 1040), Interest and Ordinary Dividends.

What is a non taxable traditional IRA distribution? ›

When taking distributions from your traditional IRA in retirement, you'll pay taxes on investment gains. However, the money that you contributed as part of the nondeductible IRA is withdrawn without taxes because you didn't take a deduction when you first put it in.

How do I calculate non taxable IRA distribution? ›

Withdrawals from a traditional IRA

You'll need to figure out how much of your account is made up of nondeductible contributions. Take the total amount of nondeductible contributions and divide it by the current value of your traditional IRA account -- this is the nondeductible (nontaxable) portion of your account.

What is considered a non-qualified distribution? ›

The basic difference is this: qualified distributions generally take place after the owner is 59.5, or when they have a permanent disability or pass away. Non-qualified distributions are those that happen at any other time.

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