Year-End Review: Net Investment Income Tax
The Net Investment Income Tax (“N.I.I.T.”) was added to the Code on March 30, 2010. It is imposed at a rate of 3.8% of certain net investment income (“Net Investment Income”) of individuals, estates and trusts having income above specified triggering amounts. For individuals who are calendar year taxpayers, the tax first became effective in 2013. Thus, the current tax return filing season will be the first time taxpayers feel the effect of the tax. In late 2013, the I.R.S. released final and proposed regulations for the N.I.I.T. These regulations clarify proposals that were issued on December 5, 2012. This article provides a summary of the N.I.I.T. and explains how the new regulations will affect taxpayers.
IN GENERAL
Applicable Thresholds
Individuals will owe the tax if they have Net Investment Income and also have modified adjusted gross income over the following thresholds:
| Filing Status | Threshold Amount |
| Married Taxpayers (Joint Filing) | $250,000 |
| Married Taxpayers (Separate Filing) | $125,000 |
| Single | $200,000 |
| Head of household (with qualifying person) | $200,000 |
| Qualifying widow(er) with dependent child | $250,000 |
These amounts are not indexed for inflation.