Savings bonds are often purchased by investors as a safe, reliable investment or given as gifts. Regardless of how a savings bond is received initially, owners of savings bonds should be aware of how the bonds are taxed when cashed.
What is a Savings Bond?
A savings bond is a government bond issued by the U.S. treasury. U.S. savings bonds are often considered some of the safest investments purchasable because they are backed by the U.S. government.There are two common types of savings bonds, Series EE and Series I bonds. While they are very similar, there are some distinctions to pay attention to.
Each year, an investor may invest from a minimum of $25 in U.S. electronic Series I and Series EE savings bonds or $50 in Series I paper savings bonds up to a maximum of $10,000 in electronic savings bonds or $5,000 in paper savings bonds. While in the past bonds were sold in paper form, today a majority are sold electronically through the treasury’s website.
Savings bonds are purchased at their face value and earn interest. Series EE bonds earn a fixed rate of interest, where Series I earn a rate that is adjusted for inflation twice a year. If a Series EE bond is held for at least a 20-year term, the savings bond will be worth at least twice what it was purchased for (e.g., a $100 bond purchased today can be redeemed at maturity for $200). Bonds must be held for at least one year but can be held for up to 30 years depending on the specific terms of the savings bond.
Are Savings Bonds Subject to Tax?
Savings bonds are not subject to state and local taxes. Savings bonds used for certain qualified education expenses are eligible for tax benefits and may be used as a tax saving tool for education expenses. Taxpayers with qualified expense tax benefits may not have to pay taxes on interest if certain types of savings bonds (i.e., Series EE and Series I savings bonds) are used to pay for the qualified education expenses. Qualified education expenses include:
- Tuition;
- Fees such as student activity fees;
- Books (subject to exceptions);
- Equipment like safety glasses or goggles for the laboratory (subject to exceptions);
- Etc.
The interest paid on savings bonds when they are redeemed is subject to federal taxation. However, there are several options for when to report the interest on savings bonds.
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How Are Savings Bonds Taxed?
People who have invested in savings bonds can report the interest earned from savings bonds in two ways:
- Investors may elect to defer reporting interest income on their savings bonds until the bond is redeemed or fully matured, whichever happens first.
- Investors can report the interest and pay the tax due on it each year.
Are Savings Bonds Subject to Any Penalties for Early Termination?
If an investor redeems a savings bond prior to its maturity date, it may be subject to early redemption penalties. Investors should thoroughly review the terms of their specific bond to avoid any penalties.
Generally, savings bonds are subject to an early redemption penalty if they are redeemed before five years have passed. If the investor terminates their bond(s) before five years have passed, they forfeit the prior three months of interest. Generally, after five years, no penalty applies and the savings bond can be redeemed at any time.
Who Pays Taxes on a Gifted Savings Bond?
Often, savings bonds are received or given as a gift. They are still taxable. 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).
Conclusion
Savings bonds can be an excellent way to safely invest funds for the future while making a noticeable return on your investment or utilized to pay for education expenses tax-free.
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FAQs
The interest paid on savings bonds when they are redeemed is subject to federal taxation.
Do I have to pay taxes when I cash in my savings bonds? ›
In general, you must report the interest in income in the taxable year in which you redeemed the bonds to the extent you did not include the interest in income in a prior taxable year.
How are EE bonds taxed when redeemed? ›
Key Takeaways. Interest from EE U.S. savings bonds is taxed at the federal level but not at the state or local levels for income. The interest that savings bonds earn is the amount that a bond can be redeemed for above its face value or original purchase price.
What happens when you cash in a savings bond? ›
You can get your cash for an EE or I savings bond any time after you have owned it for 1 year. However, the longer you hold the bond, the more it earns for you (for up to 30 years for an EE or I bond). Also, if you cash in the bond in less than 5 years, you lose the last 3 months of interest.
Is bond interest taxed as ordinary income? ›
Interest income, which is typically paid on a semiannual basis. Whether this income is taxable will depend on the issuer. Interest from corporate bonds is generally taxable at both the federal and state levels. Interest from Treasuries is generally taxable at the federal level, but not at the state level.
How do I avoid taxes when cashing in savings bonds? ›
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.
How much tax will I pay on my EE savings bonds? ›
The interest on EE bonds isn't taxed as it accrues unless the owner elects to have it taxed annually. If an election is made, all previously accrued but untaxed interest is also reported in the election year. In most cases, this election isn't made so bond holders receive the benefits of tax deferral.
Do you pay federal taxes on EE bonds when cashed? ›
The interest paid on savings bonds when they are redeemed is subject to federal taxation.
Will I get a 1099 for cashing in savings bonds? ›
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.)
How do I report cashing in a savings bond on taxes? ›
When you redeem it, you'll receive a Form 1099-INT that shows the full amount of interest the bond earned. You can report the interest earned every year. If you do, you can subtract the interest you paid tax on in prior years from your taxable income.
How to get the most value from your savings bonds
| Face Value | Purchase Amount | 30-Year Value (Purchased May 1990) |
|---|
| $50 Bond | $100 | $207.36 |
| $100 Bond | $200 | $414.72 |
| $500 Bond | $400 | $1,036.80 |
| $1,000 Bond | $800 | $2,073.60 |
If you have paper savings bonds, you can fill out the appropriate form and mail it and the bonds you want to cash to the Treasury Retail Securities Services — the address is listed on FS Form 1522. Additionally, you may be able to cash your paper savings bonds at your bank or credit union.
Do you get penalized for cashing in savings bonds? ›
Interest Earned and Taxation
These bonds increase in value every month, and interest is compounded semiannually. A 3-month interest penalty will apply to bonds cashed before five years.
How are bonds taxed? ›
The income from taxable bond funds is generally taxed at the federal and state level at ordinary income tax rates in the year it was earned. Funds that exclusively hold U.S. Treasury bonds may be exempt from state taxes.
What bond interest is not taxable? ›
Municipal Bonds
Most bonds issued by government agencies are tax-exempt. This means interest on these bonds are excluded from gross income for federal tax purposes. In addition, interest on the bonds is exempt from State of California personal income taxes.
What interest income is not taxable? ›
In some cases, the amount of tax-exempt interest a taxpayer earns can limit the taxpayer's qualification for certain other tax breaks. The most common sources of tax-exempt interest come from municipal bonds or income-producing assets inside of Roth retirement accounts.
How much is a $100 savings bond worth after 30 years? ›
How to get the most value from your savings bonds
| Face Value | Purchase Amount | 30-Year Value (Purchased May 1990) |
|---|
| $50 Bond | $100 | $207.36 |
| $100 Bond | $200 | $414.72 |
| $500 Bond | $400 | $1,036.80 |
| $1,000 Bond | $800 | $2,073.60 |
Yes, you are required to pay federal income taxes on the interest earned by inherited series I savings bonds. The interest is taxed in the year it is earned and must be reported on the beneficiary's tax return.
