What Is an Exempt-Interest Dividend?

What Is an Exempt-Interest Dividend?

Let me explain what an exempt-interest dividend is: it's a distribution you receive from a mutual fund that's not subject to federal income tax. These dividends typically come from mutual funds that invest in municipal bonds.

While they're exempt from federal taxes, remember that they might still be hit with state income tax or the alternative minimum tax (AMT).

You have to report these exempt-interest dividends on your federal tax return. You'll find them on line 2a of Form 1040, and the amount shows up in box 12 of the Form 1099-DIV from your fund provider.

Where Do I Report Exempt-Interest Dividends?

You report the total exempt-interest dividends for the year on line 2a of your Form 1040. The figure comes from box 12 of the Form 1099-DIV sent by the fund provider. You won't owe federal taxes on this amount.

Understanding an Exempt-Interest Dividend

A dividend is simply a share of a company's profits distributed to shareholders. It's not a mandatory expense and gets paid out after net earnings are calculated.

These are usually paid to common stock owners, often quarterly. For instance, Apple's dividend was $0.23 per share as of February 2, 2023, paid four times a year, and all taxable.

But an exempt-interest dividend differs—it's from a mutual fund and not subject to federal income tax. You'll see these mainly in municipal bonds or funds investing in them.

Who Buys Tax-Exempt Bonds?

High-net-worth individuals are the ones who typically invest in municipal bonds, as the tax savings make up for the lower returns. They're in higher tax brackets, so these low-tax options appeal to them.

The tax-exempt municipal bonds fund community-benefiting projects.

If you hold these in an IRA, the tax benefits don't matter because everything in an IRA is tax-deferred anyway.

State Income Tax

Even though these dividends are federally exempt, state taxes might apply based on where the bonds were issued and where you file taxes.

Your state might exempt all of it, or just the part from in-state bonds. For example, if you have $100 in dividend interest, with $60 from your state and $40 from elsewhere, and your state only exempts in-state bonds, you'd pay state tax on the $40 but not the $60.

Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT)

The AMT sets a minimum tax level you must pay, no matter your deductions or exemptions. For 2024, the exemption is $85,700 for singles and $133,300 for joint filers.

It's designed to make sure people pay some taxes instead of dodging them entirely through breaks. That's why exempt-interest dividends can trigger AMT—to prevent avoidance.

Use IRS Form 6251 to check if you owe AMT, or let tax software handle it.

How Can I Avoid Paying Tax on Investment Income?

You can find several investments that offer tax-free returns at the federal level, with municipal bonds being the main one. These are issued by states, locals, or public entities for community projects or general funds.

The interest is federal tax-free, but state and local taxes depend on the issuer and your location—often exempt if issued in your state.

Note that municipal bonds yield less than corporate ones due to the tax break, making them ideal for high-net-worth folks shielding income.

Are Mutual Fund Distributions Taxable?

Most mutual fund distributions are taxable, except for exempt-interest dividends from funds in tax-exempt municipal bonds.

Your fund sends a Form 1099-DIV at year-end, showing taxable and tax-exempt amounts.

Why Does Tax-Exempt Interest Count as Taxable Income for Alternative Minimum Tax?

AMT targets high-income people using deductions to minimize taxes. Tax-exempt bonds reduce taxes on income, so including them in AMT calculations blocks that loophole.

The Bottom Line

Municipal bonds and related mutual funds are go-tos for high-income investors aiming to keep dividend income from the IRS.

It does work for federal taxes, but you might owe at state or local levels. Plus, these dividends won't dodge the AMT.

Always report them on your federal return— they'll be on the 1099-DIV you get at year-end.