Tax FAQs

Below is a list of tax-related frequently asked questions. Please select a category, then select a question. For additional information and FAQs, along with IRS forms, instructions and publications, visit the IRS website.

Year-End Tax Forms and Statements

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Composite Form 1099

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Form 1099-DIV

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  • Visit our Understanding Tax Forms page to learn more.

  • You will receive Form 1099-DIV reporting information on Composite Form 1099 if you received $10 or more in dividends or other distributions from your fund during the calendar year.

    While amounts less than $10 are still required to be reported to the IRS on your tax return, the IRS does not require a 1099-DIV to be issued. Dividends or other distributions less than $10 can be found on your year-end statement. If your distribution was less than $10, but you had backup withholding or the fund passed through foreign taxes to you, you will receive a Form 1099-DIV.

  • Yes. Distributions made by your Franklin Templeton fund investments are reported on Form 1099-DIV and must be reported on your federal and state income tax returns whether they are received in cash or reinvested in additional fund shares.

  • Yes. If your tax-free fund distributed any tax-exempt interest dividends, ordinary income or capital gains of $10 or more, you will receive information under the Form 1099-DIV section of the Composite Form 1099.

  • Yes. Registered shareholders can view or print their tax forms by logging in to their account on franklintempleton.com. Log in to your account or register now for account access.

  • Yes. You will receive a 1099-DIV or Composite Form 1099 for each account (fund) registered under each taxpayer identification number.

    You could also receive more than one Form 1099-DIV per account if:

    1. You received dividends while residing in California, then moved to another state and received additional dividends while residing in the new state
      OR
    2. You received dividends while residing in another state and then moved to California and received additional dividends.

  • If you receive Form 1099-DIV that includes income attributable to other taxpayers with different taxpayer identification numbers, you may need to follow the IRS guidelines for nominees. Please refer to the instructions for Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, Schedule B, Interest and Ordinary Dividends.

    IRS forms, instructions and publications can be obtained free of charge by calling the IRS at (800) 829-1040. You may also view these materials at irs.gov.

Form 1099-B

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Cost Basis Reporting Information

To learn more about cost basis reporting, visit our Cost Basis Information page.

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    Form 1099-Q

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    Form 1099-R

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    Form 5498

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    Form 5498-ESA

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    Form 1042-S

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    • Visit our Understanding Tax Forms page to learn more.

    • If you are a nonresident alien individual or foreign entity with investments in US-based Franklin Templeton mutual funds, you will receive a Form 1042-S, if you received any of the following during the calender year: ordinary income dividends (including interest-related dividends), short-term capital gain dividends, distributions from long-term capital gains, gains from US real property interests, return of capital or distributions from retirement accounts.

    Tax Withholding for Retirement Accounts

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    Capital Gains—Long-Term, Short-Term

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    Direct US Government Obligation

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    Foreign Source Income and Foreign Tax Paid

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    Important Legal Information

    The information contained in this tax center is not intended to be a complete discussion of all federal or state income tax requirements. This information cannot be used by an investor to avoid any income tax penalties that may be imposed under the Internal Revenue Code. Investors should seek advice from a financial and/or tax advisor about the potential tax implications of their investments in Franklin Templeton fund(s) based on their individual circumstances.

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    Franklin Distributors, LLC. Member FINRA/SIPC. Prior to July 7, 2021, Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc., and Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC served as mutual fund distributors for Franklin Templeton.