The receipt of an exempt-interest dividend creates a tax preference to the extent that the dividend is derived from interest paid on certain private activity bonds issued after August 7, 1986 (see Q 777).1 (The receipt of capital gain and ordinary income mutual fund dividends generally does not create tax preferences.) Also, mutual funds do pass through, and each shareholder must report a proportionate share of, the fund’s own tax preference items.2
For an explanation of the alternative minimum tax, see Q 777.
1. IRC § 57(a)(5)(B).
2. IRC § 59(d).