Nearly all bonds are taxable both federal and state.
To be exact, the interest the bonds pay is taxable (as well as any capital gain resulting from trading bonds). The reason is that the tax code taxes interest. Bonds are a way of borrowing money and paying interest to the lender.
Bonds issued by the federal government are exempt from state taxes. Bonds issued by states and municipalities are mostly exempt from federal taxes (and exempt from taxes in the state that issued them in some states).
No. Federal tax refunds are not taxable. In some cases, state tax refunds are taxable.
Yes, it should be reported on your tax return. In general, interest from a municipal is not taxable, but it could affect other items on your return, or be taxable in your state. Proceeds from the sale of a muni bond could be taxable if there is a gain on the sale. This question is too complex to be fully answered in this forum. As always, consult with a tax professional for specific answers. CPA Greg
AnswerI believe so.AnswerNo - even if you work in only one state your State taxable (or gross) income will virtually never equal your Federal taxable (or gross)income. For many reasons. Like State tax is deductible from Federal, but not from itself! Some contributions or types of income too, (like retirement plans, some types of SUI, FICA, etc.), are deductible for one of the taxes, not the other. Etc.In the multi state sceanario you mention - also consider - if you had income in 3 States...one of which doesn't even have an income tax. Hence, no State Taxable income. The remaining two incomes better not equal your Federal.
I can't answer for all states, but in VT the amount of Federal tax refunds are not taxable on the state return. Further in that VT piggy-backs the federal return. (Uses the federal tax as basis for computing state tax), it would take some tricky math to calculate. The state refund is taxable on the federal return (if you itemized deductions the year before), so in that instance, the amount of the state refund for that year would, in fact, be taxed on the federal return and thus that portion would be again taxed by the state (VT) as a result of the "piggy-backing" method used by the state.
In general, states do not allow a deduction for federal income taxes as most states "piggyback" off of federal taxable income as the beginning of the state income tax calculation. However, the states of Alabama , Iowa , Louisiana , and Missouri have variations of state taxable income that allows for some potential deduction for federal income taxes. Each of these four states has its own unique methodology for the deduction and each place certain restrictions on the ability to take the deduction.
Contributions to a 529 plan do not reduce your federal taxable income, as they are made with after-tax dollars. However, some states offer state tax deductions or credits for contributions to a 529 plan, which can lower your state taxable income. The earnings in a 529 plan grow tax-free, and withdrawals for qualified education expenses are also tax-free.
The primary tax benefit of owning municipal bonds is that the interest income they generate is often exempt from federal income tax, and in some cases, from state and local taxes as well. This makes them particularly attractive to investors in higher tax brackets, as the tax-exempt status can lead to a higher effective yield compared to taxable bonds. Additionally, certain municipal bonds may be exempt from the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), further enhancing their appeal.
YES it is possible that you could receive some taxable income from the trust that you would have to report on your 1040 federal income tax return.
Obviously, tax isn't deductible from determining the income that is taxable, for the same tax involved. There is no limit to the amounts. Generally: Federal - State (and city) income taxes and property taxes, (and under a new rule some sales taxes if your in a state without property tax), and of course a plethora of the payroll type taxes may or may not be currently includable in determing Federal taxable income. State Income taxes do not allow their own State (and sometimes other States) taxes to be deducted...essentially you add them back to your Federal Taxable Income. They may also consider some things like Unemployment Ins payments (and other payroll taxes) differently than the Feds. Also generally, to be currently deductible, the tax must have been paid to the jurisdiction, not just what you expect to pay.
First, a refund of State Income Tax, was deductible when it was paid (and presumably taken as a deduction), and IS taxable when refunded. (You took a tax benefit when paying it, so you have to give back that same tax benefit when you get the tax (or some portion of it) refunded). I can see no reason that the interest wouldn't be taxable. Only certain interest, (from specifically declared but not all Municipal and some other bonds), is not taxable. Otherwise, the source of the interest does not effect it's character as interest, which is taxable. The fact it may be from a government doesn't mean much. Certainly lots of people get paid lots of things from the government that are taxable.
Some advantages of investing in municipal bonds are that they are free from taxes including federal state and local taxes, they can also be cashed quickly due to a high level of liquidity. One disadvantage is that the municipal bonds growth might not exceed inflation in which case you have lost money.
Under current law, unemployment benefits are fully taxable at both the federal and state level.Under current law, unemployment benefits are fully taxable at both the federal and state level.