Understanding the 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax

The Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) is a new tax that took effect on Jan. 1, 2013, so this is the first tax season in which taxpayers have to take it into account. However, because it is somewhat complex, we will divide it into two blog posts. In this post, we’ll cover the rules and regulations and generally, how it works. Next week, we’ll look at the steps involved in its calculation and discuss a few examples. 

What Is the NIIT? What’s Included?

The NIIT is a tax assessed on certain types of investment income at a rate of 3.8%. In general, investment income includes, but is not limited to: interest, dividends, capital gains, rental and royalty income, nonqualified annuities, income from businesses involved in trading of financial instruments or commodities and businesses that are passive activities to the taxpayer (within the meaning of section 469). 

NOTE: Section 469 contains the passive activity loss rules. 

Common Types of Income Not Included

Certain income is not included in the calculation of NIIT. This includes, but is not limited to: wages, unemployment compensation; operating income from a non-passive business, Social Security benefits, alimony, tax-exempt interest, self-employment income, Alaska Permanent Fund Dividends (see Rev. Rul. 90-56, 1990-2 CB 102) and distributions from certain qualified plans as described in IRC sections 401(a), 403(a), 403(b), 408, 408A or 457(b).

The NIIT calculation is a bit complex, in that it involves several variables. In general, the amount of tax due on this type of income is calculated on the lesser of:
How Is the NIIT Calculated?

1) Amount of Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) which exceeds the applicable threshold (see Table below)

              Or 

2) Total Net Investment Income