How are capital gains and dividends taxed differently?

Dividends are income earned by investing in stocks, mutual funds or exchange-traded funds, and they are included in your tax return on Schedule B, Form 1040. Capital gains are the amount an asset increases in value between when it is purchased and when it is sold. The U.S. tax code gives similar treatment to dividends and short-term capital gains, and qualified dividends and long-term capital gains, respectively.

Ordinary dividends and short-term capital gains, those on assets held less than a year, are subject to one's income tax rate. However, qualified dividends and long-term capital gains benefit from a lower rate. Qualified dividends are those paid by domestic or qualifying foreign companies that have been held for at least 61 days out of the 121-day period beginning 60 days prior to the ex-dividend date.

In the case of qualified dividends and long-term capital gains, as of 2018, lower-income individuals are still exempt from any tax. Investors who have gross income of more than $38,600 – or $77,200 for joint filers – are subject to a 15% capital gains tax. The highest earners – individuals earning more than $425,800 and joint filers making more than $479,000 – pay 20% in capital gains tax (plus 3.8% net investment income tax, per the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.)

So, although dividends and capital gains are different types of investment income, they receive similar treatment at tax time.

Source: Tax Policy Center