Most financially successful people have multiple sources of income. Secondary income is essential if you want to live a financially sustainable life. However, having a passive income entails hard work, dedication, and commitment.
Passive income is desirable only if you can pay the price. Anyone who wants to be financially viable and enjoy financial independence ought to have more than one source of income or a passive income.
It is essential to know that passive income is taxable. Depending on the type of business and your country’s tax laws, the passive income tax varies from country to country and may be determined by the kind of business that generates the passive income.
Passive Income: What Is It?
Passive income is an income earned without much physical participation. It is usually earned through passive or inactive means. Passive income is generated through other sources other than an employer. It can come through savings, interest, cash back, royalties, etc.
Besides, passive income is also referred to as residual or secondary income because it comes from an alternative source besides your regular salary or job. In most cases, it is combined with your primary source of income, such as your regular employment or contract.
Calculating your income tax may be challenging, but you can consult a passive income tax consultant for all you need to know about this if you are unsure how to do so.
Sources Of Passive Income
These days, determining passive income can prove challenging. This is because what has been termed passive income in the past is now being utilized as the primary income source for some individuals.
For example, with the rise of online and remote work, it becomes difficult to categorize some of them as passive income. However, as a general rule, there are principles to determine which job falls under the category of passive income. Some of them include.
1. Savings
One of the components of passive income is interest accruable from savings. This is a smart way of getting an alternate income. It’s another way to get returns through rewards and bonuses.
Savings is a safe way of earning a passive income. This includes earnings from your savings, royalties, bonuses, etc. Interests accrued from your savings account is a passive income.
2. Online Businesses
There are various types of online businesses across the globe. Remote work has come to stay. It’s difficult to determine whether an online business is full-time or part-time. However, most online businesses are considered to be passive.
For example, online teaching jobs, selling digital products online, bloggers, affiliate marketing businesses, etc., can pass for passive income jobs.
3. Rental Property
There are exceptions regarding property rental and taxation. According to the IRS, income earned from a property rental in which the individual is not materially involved can be considered passive income.
Non-real estate investments made through an SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle) are also considered passive income.
4. Purchasing Dividends and Stocks
Another source of passive income strategy is the purchase of bonds from the stock market. Dividends earned from stocks are passive income.
This can provide a regular source of alternate income. Selling stocks or bonds can also be regarded as passive income.
Explaining Taxation On Passive Income
Tax laws vary among countries and financial institutions. However, some basic rules guide income taxes. For example, the IRS places the same tax rates on passive and regular income.
The only difference is that the taxation rates may vary. Here are some passive income and taxation applications.
Savings
Money earned from savings is taxed. The same method used in taxing your primary income is used to tax your earnings from your savings account. However, only the interest you earned from the savings is taxed.
Online Businesses
Depending on the type of business, most online businesses can be regarded as passive income. However, registered companies with verifiable business addresses pay taxes for their online business.
Some online businesses, such as online teaching, freelancing, affiliate marketing, etc., may not attract taxes unless required by the country’s laws.
Rental Property
Generally, all incomes generated from property rentals are taxed like your active income. Property rentals include any money you receive from the use of your property.
The little difference is that expenses incurred during the rental can be deducted from the total income before paying the tax.
Purchasing Dividends And Bonds
Investors who buy shares often receive dividends from their investments. These payments can be reinvested or converted to other uses. Income generated from dividends is usually taxed. However, deductions on such incomes are always considered to reduce the burden of tax payments.
Difference Between Passive And Active Income Taxes
As explained, passive income is money earned from sources outside of regular employment or active participation in business. It is mainly money earned with little personal involvement and efforts such as savings, rentals, royalties, etc.
On the other hand, active income is the structured income from salaries, contracts, or jobs you’re actively engaged with.
Both incomes can be taxed in similar ways. However, the significant difference is that in the case of passive income, consideration is given for deductions from liabilities, expenses, etc., incurred when receiving money from passive income. This will help reduce the amount of money payable as taxes in passive income tax.
Conclusion
Passive income is a great way to enhance your financial capabilities. It helps you meet some family needs, allows you to grow your financial base, and can also help you invest in other business areas.
Creating multiple passive income streams to help increase your cash flows is possible. If you want to know how to reduce the heavy tax burden on your passive income, consult a tax consultant for a detailed guide to taxation on your passive income.
