Costco will spend $3 billion to pay its shareholders a special dividend of $7 per share next month ahead of higher tax rates that may kick in come January.
Many companies are making special end-of-year dividend payments or moving up their quarterly payouts because investors will have to pay higher taxes on dividend income starting in 2013, unless Congress and President Barack Obama reach a compromise on taxes and government spending.
Investors have paid a maximum 15 percent on dividends since 2003. But that historically low rate is set to expire in January. And a political compromise could still raise the rate.
News Tribune news services
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