Dividend tax treatment · 2026
Are COST Dividends Qualified? Costco Wholesale Corp
Yes — COST dividends are qualified. Roughly 100% of COST's distributions qualify for the long-term capital gains rate (0%, 15%, or 20%) rather than your ordinary income rate.
What COST's tax treatment means in dollars
At the current 0.56% yield on $10,000 invested, COST generates approximately $56.00 in annual dividends.
| Scenario | Tax owed | After-tax income |
|---|---|---|
| Qualified rate (15% — most investors) | $8.40 | $47.60 |
| Ordinary income rate (22% bracket) | $12.32 | $43.68 |
Compared to ordinary treatment, the qualified rate saves approximately $3.92/year per $10,000 invested for a 22% bracket investor.
After-tax income by federal bracket — $10,000 invested
The table shows your estimated after-tax dividend income at each federal bracket, under both qualified and ordinary treatment. COST's actual treatment is highlighted.
| Federal bracket | Qualified after-tax | Ordinary after-tax | Tax savings (qualified) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $56.00 | $50.40 | +$5.60 |
| 12% | $56.00 | $49.28 | +$6.72 |
| 22% | $47.60 | $43.68 | +$3.92 |
| 24% | $47.60 | $42.56 | +$5.04 |
| 32% | $47.60 | $38.08 | +$9.52 |
| 37% | $44.80 | $35.28 | +$9.52 |
LTCG/qualified rate: 0% for 10–12% brackets, 15% for 22–35%, 20% for 37%. State taxes not included. Illustrative only — verify with a tax advisor.
Where to hold COST for best tax efficiency
Qualified dividends are taxed at favorable LTCG rates — taxable accounts are efficient. Holding in a Roth wastes the rate preference on income that was already lightly taxed.
If the tax treatment is the part you want to change, the substitute has to hold up on yield and safety too — see COST alternatives for same-sector tickers ranked against COST, or the COST dividend safety score for how durable the payout itself looks.
General guidance only — your optimal placement depends on your full tax situation, available account types, and other holdings. Consult a tax advisor for personalized advice.
Frequently asked questions
Are COST dividends qualified?
Yes — COST dividends are qualified. Roughly 100% of COST's distributions qualify for the long-term capital gains rate (0%, 15%, or 20%) rather than your ordinary income rate.
Is COST's dividend qualified or ordinary?
COST pays qualified dividends.
What is COST's after-tax dividend income?
At a 0.56% yield on $10,000 invested, COST generates approximately $56.00/year in gross dividends. After tax: $47.60 at the 15% qualified rate, or $43.68 at a 22% ordinary rate.
Should I hold COST in a Roth, IRA, or taxable account?
Qualified dividends are taxed at favorable LTCG rates — taxable accounts are efficient. Holding in a Roth wastes the rate preference on income that was already lightly taxed.
What is the difference between qualified and ordinary dividends?
Qualified dividends are taxed at the long-term capital gains rate (0%, 15%, or 20% depending on your income), which is significantly lower than ordinary income rates (10%–37%). To qualify, dividends must be paid by a US corporation or qualified foreign corporation, and you must hold the stock for more than 60 days around the ex-dividend date. Ordinary (non-qualified) dividends — common for REITs, covered-call ETFs, and bond funds — are taxed as regular income at your marginal rate.
COST head-to-head comparisons
More COST analysis
How much COST income are you actually taxed on?
Enter your COST share count alongside your other holdings and the free analyzer returns your total annual dividend income — the number every tax estimate on this page starts from. Works in your browser, no account required.
Or read about dividend safety scoring.