How government bonds are taxed | Vanguard (2024)

FAQs

How government bonds are taxed | Vanguard? ›

Income from bonds issued by state, city, and local governments (municipal bonds, or munis) is generally free from federal taxes. * You will, however, have to report this income when filing your taxes. Municipal bond income is also usually free from state tax in the state where the bond was issued.

You can skip paying taxes on interest earned with Series EE and Series I savings bonds if you're using the money to pay for qualified higher education costs. That includes expenses you pay for yourself, your spouse or a qualified dependent. Only certain qualified higher education costs are covered, including: Tuition.

The interest income of the savings bond will be taxed to the bond's owner—i.e., the recipient of the gift—when the bond matures and is redeemed for cash (or the owner will be taxed each year if they elect to report the interest income annually).

Taxable Bonds and Bond Funds

That's because most of the return that bond investors earn is income, and that income is taxed at your ordinary income tax rate, which is higher than the capital gains and dividend tax rates that apply to the gains from most stock holdings.

More about savings bonds

The interest earned by purchasing and holding savings bonds is subject to federal tax at the time the bonds are redeemed. However, interest earned on savings bonds is not taxable at the state or local level.

Key Takeaways. Interest from Treasury bills (T-bills) is subject to federal income taxes but not state or local taxes. The interest income received in a year is recorded on Form 1099-INT. Investors can opt to have up to 50% of their Treasury bills' interest earnings automatically withheld.

You can report the interest each year you earn it or when you cash the bond. You will report it on Schedule B of your 1040. You can avoid these taxes by using the money for qualified higher education expenses.

Income from bonds issued by state, city, and local governments (municipal bonds, or munis) is generally free from federal taxes.

Are all bonds taxed? Bonds are divided into two classes: taxable and tax-exempt. A bond's tax-exempt status applies only to the bond's interest income. Any capital gains generated from selling a bond or bond fund before its maturity date is taxable, regardless of the type of bond.

What are the cons of Treasury bonds? ›

These are U.S. government bonds that offer a unique combination of safety and steady income. But while they are lauded for their security and reliability, potential drawbacks such as interest rate risk, low returns and inflation risk must be carefully considered.

These are the risks of holding bonds: Risk #1: When interest rates fall, bond prices rise. Risk #2: Having to reinvest proceeds at a lower rate than what the funds were previously earning. Risk #3: When inflation increases dramatically, bonds can have a negative rate of return.

Cons. Bonds are sensitive to interest rate changes. Bonds have an inverse relationship with the Fed's interest rate. When interest rates rise, bond prices fall.

Yes, I bonds are subject to taxation. But they provide certain tax benefits that distinguish them from other investments and can result in lower tax payments. The original amount you invested in the bond isn't taxed, but the interest earned is.

Legacy Treasury Direct: Getting your IRS Form 1099

If you still have securities in Legacy Treasury Direct, we mail you a 1099 at the beginning of each year. If you need a duplicate 1099-INT form for the current tax year, call 844-284-2676 (free call) or, from outside the United States, +1-304-480-6464.

If you cash a paper savings bond at a local bank, that bank is responsible for giving you a 1099. If you cash a paper savings bond by mailing it to Treasury Retail Securities Services, we mail you a 1099 by January 31 of the following year. (You can call us for a duplicate statement, if needed, beginning February 15.)

Interest from Treasuries is generally taxable at the federal level, but not at the state level. Interest from munis is generally exempt from federal taxes, and if you live in the state where the bond was issued, the interest may also be exempt from state taxes.

Cons: Rates are variable, there's a lockup period and early withdrawal penalty, and there's a limit to how much you can invest. Only taxable accounts are allowed to invest in I bonds (i.e., no IRAs or 401(k) plans).

Municipal bonds are very tax-efficient because the interest income isn't taxable at the federal level and it's often tax-exempt at the state and local level, too. 7 Munis are sometimes called triple-free because of this.

What you earn from your Treasury marketable securities is subject to federal tax but is exempt from state and local taxes.