What is line 2a on Form 1040?

Asked by: Dr. Hal West  |  Last update: October 21, 2025
Score: 5/5 (11 votes)

Tax-exempt interest. However, if you acquired a tax-exempt bond at a premium, only report the net amount of tax-exempt interest on line 2a of your Form 1040 or 1040-SR (that is, the excess of the tax-exempt interest received during the year over the amortized bond premium for the year).

What is 2a on 1040?

Line 2a: Tax-exempt interest income

Interest from municipal bonds and municipal bond funds is reported here. This interest is generally tax-free at the federal level.

What is 2b on a 1040?

Line 2b reports taxable interest. Common sources or interest income include checking and savings accounts, money markets, CDs and individual bonds. Note: Income included on line 2 is typically reported on a 1099-INT. Line 3 reports dividend income.

Is bond premium on tax-exempt interest taxable?

Investors are required to amortize the premium in these cases. However, because the interest from the bond is tax-exempt, the amortized premium does not create a current-year tax benefit for the investor (unlike with premium on a taxable bond).

Do you pay tax on accrued interest?

The accrued interest is taxable to the seller, whereas the interest that is earned from the date of purchase to the end of the year is taxable to the purchaser. However, at year-end, the purchaser will receive a Form 1099-INT Interest Income showing the total interest received during the tax year.

How to Fill Out Form 1040 | Preparing your Taxes | Money Instructor

42 related questions found

How do I report accrued interest paid on my tax return?

Taxable amounts of accrued interest paid should be reflected on IRS Form 1040 Schedule B, line 1, as a reduction of interest income; it should be identified as accrued interest. Nontaxable amounts should reduce the appropriate nontaxable income categories.

How to avoid paying taxes on interest income?

Tax-Advantaged Accounts: Utilizing accounts like Roth IRAs and Health Savings Accounts can help defer or even eliminate taxes on your interest income. Utilizing Municipal Bonds: Investing in municipal bonds allows you to earn interest that is often exempt from federal, state, and local taxes.

Where to report savings bond interest on 1040?

If your total interest isn't more than $1500 for the year, and you're not otherwise required to report interest income on Schedule B, report the savings bond interest with your other interest on the "Interest" line of your tax return. For more information, see the Instructions for Schedule B (Form 1040).

Can accrued interest be deducted for tax purposes?

The accrued interest adjustment decreases the taxable interest income by deducting the extra amount of interest that is paid to the new owner of the fixed income security. The accrued interest adjustment is subject to the same laws of taxation as is ordinary interest.

How to report bond premium on 1040?

However, if you acquired a tax-exempt bond at a premium, only report the net amount of tax-exempt interest on line 2a of your Form 1040 or 1040-SR (that is, the excess of the tax-exempt interest received during the year over the amortized bond premium for the year).

What is the extra standard deduction for seniors over 65?

For 2024, the additional standard deduction amounts for taxpayers who are 65 and older or blind are: $1,950 for Single or Head of Household (increase of $100) $1,550 for married taxpayers or Qualifying Surviving Spouse (increase of $50)

How much of social security is taxable?

Substantial income includes wages, earnings from self-employment, interest, dividends, and other taxable income that must be reported on your tax return. Between $25,000 and $34,000, you may have to pay income tax on up to 50% of your benefits. More than $34,000, up to 85% of your benefits may be taxable.

What is the new 1040 form for seniors?

Form 1040-SR is available as an optional alternative to using Form 1040 for taxpayers who are age 65 or older. Form 1040-SR uses the same schedules and instructions as Form 1040 does.

What is 2a in tax?

GSTR-2A is a purchase-related tax return automatically generated for every business registered under the Goods and Services Tax (GST). It is a statement that captures details of all your purchases for a particular month.

What is 2a on tax form?

Generally, the issuer of the 1099-R will have an amount listed in Box 2a for the taxable amount. If no amount is listed, you will need to determine the amount yourself. If this is a Roth Distribution that has been held for 5 or more years and you are withdrawing the contributions only, enter $0 for Box 2a.

What is box 2a ordinary income?

Box 2a—Ordinary Dividends

This box reports the beneficiary's share of ordinary dividends. This amount is reported on line 3b of Form 1040 or 1040-SR and Schedule B (Form 1040), Part II, line 5, if applicable.

How do I treat accrued interest on my tax return?

If you have accrued interest, you should receive a 1099-INT from the IRS for each of the bonds that you held that provided at least $10 in interest. The total interest amount will include the accrued interest that is taxable to both the seller and the purchaser.

How much interest can I deduct from my taxes?

You can deduct home mortgage interest on the first $750,000 ($375,000 if married filing separately) of indebtedness. However, higher limitations ($1 million ($500,000 if married filing separately)) apply if you are deducting mortgage interest from indebtedness incurred before December 16, 2017.

What is the 2.5 month rule?

The 2.5 Month Rule Requirement

In certain circumstances, businesses can deduct bonuses employees have earned during a tax year if the bonuses are paid within 2½ months after the end of that year (by March 15 for a calendar-year company). First, only accrual-basis taxpayers can take advantage of the 2½ month rule.

Where does savings interest go on 1040?

Use Schedule B (Form 1040) if any of the following applies:
  1. You had over $1,500 of taxable interest or ordinary dividends.
  2. You received interest from a seller-financed mortgage and the buyer used the property as a personal residence.
  3. You have accrued interest from a bond.

How do I subtract the interest on my US savings bonds on my state return?

US Savings bond interest is exempt from state and local taxes. In TaxSlayer ProWeb, when you enter the Form 1099-INT that includes this interest you will also indicate the taxpayer's resident state tax return for the purpose of subtracting the interest from the state return's taxable income calculation.

What kind of interest income is not taxable?

All interest income is taxable unless specifically excluded. tax-exempt interest income — interest income that is not subject to income tax. Tax-exempt interest income is earned from bonds issued by states, cities, or counties and the District of Columbia.

How do I report i bond interest on a tax return?

If you cash in I bonds this year, you must report the interest on line 2b of your 2024 Form 1040 and pay tax to the extent you didn't otherwise include the interest income in a prior year.

How much tax do I pay on savings account interest?

The tax rate on your savings account interest depends on your federal income tax bracket. For 2024, you may pay between 10 to 37 percent tax on interest earned. For example, if you are in the 22 percent tax bracket and earn $100 in interest, you would owe $22 in federal taxes. You may also need to pay state taxes.