topic Why net investment income tax threshold is only 250k for MFJ? in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Why net investment income tax threshold is only 250k for MFJ?

gb1 — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 10:21:38 GMT

It is 200k for single. All other tax brackets are proportionate, but not the NIIT threshold. I was expecting this to be 400k for joint filers. I have wondered about this for some time. Looking for a logical reasoning here.

Re: Why net investment income tax threshold is only 250k for MFJ?

Bsch4477 — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 00:21:00 GMT

You’re looking for logic in the tax code?

Re: Why net investment income tax threshold is only 250k for MFJ?

rjs — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 00:21:04 GMT

Logic and tax law do not go together. Congress decided to make the limits what they are. Their reasons for provisions of the tax law are not always clear.

Re: Why net investment income tax threshold is only 250k for MFJ?

VolvoGirl — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 00:32:00 GMT

There will probably be program updates to come especially in the investment area. Here are some links.....

What is Form 8959

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/health-care/help/what-is-form-8959/00/26326

What is Form 8960

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/forms/help/what-is-form-8960/00/26274

IRS info on Net Investment Income Tax

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/questions-and-answers-on-the-net-investment-income-tax

IRS Info on the Additional Medicare tax on high earners (for wages)

http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Questions-and-Answers-for-the-Additional-Medicare-Tax

Re: Why net investment income tax threshold is only 250k for MFJ?

rjs — Sun, 07 Jan 2024 00:08:28 GMT

@gb1 Future software updates will not change the threshold amounts for the Net Investment Income tax because the thresholds are fixed by law. They do not need to be updated and will not be updated.

Re: Why net investment income tax threshold is only 250k for MFJ?

Mike9241 — Sun, 07 Jan 2024 01:18:05 GMT

The tax laws are what they are. some provisions are unfair. Congress writes the tax laws not the IRS. You can always write your Senators and Reps

Re: Why net investment income tax threshold is only 250k for MFJ?

gb1 — Sat, 13 Jan 2024 20:25:06 GMT

If anyone reading this, it might help to file separately. Obviously you would have to split up the investment accounts. Anyways, problem is that the investment income gets added to regular income while determining NIIT, that's another flaw in this tax law. Poorly written tax code.

Re: Why net investment income tax threshold is only 250k for MFJ?

VolvoGirl — Sat, 13 Jan 2024 20:28:39 GMT

But MFS is only half of Joint, so $125,000. Don't see how that would help.

Re: Why net investment income tax threshold is only 250k for MFJ?

gb1 — Sat, 13 Jan 2024 20:32:20 GMT

Unique situation -- one has a higher income, other has lower income.

Re: Why net investment income tax threshold is only 250k for MFJ?

rjs — Sun, 14 Jan 2024 00:14:28 GMT

@gb1 wrote:

Unique situation -- one has a higher income, other has lower income.

There's nothing unique about that. It's quite common. But having different levels of income is usually a reason to file jointly. You have to try it both ways and see which works out better, but you have to look at your overall total tax, not just whether you pay NIIT. Filing separately usually results in higher tax. It could increase your tax in other ways by more than you save by avoiding NIIT. And remember that if you file separately you have to either both itemize deductions or both take the standard deduction. You're not allowed to itemize on one return and take the standard deduction on the other.

If you are in a community property state, the difference in incomes might get erased by the community property rules.