But anyone investing in such bonds should try to do so in a tax shelter like an IRA or 401(k), as bond coupons are taxable as ordinary income.

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The tax on stock dividends could approach ordinary income rates just like current tax rates on bond coupons.

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While the 15% rate applies to most corporate payouts, that's not the case for most real estate investment trust dividends or for bond fund dividends, which are really interest and are taxed at ordinary income rates of up to 35%.

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