If you hold the title to a JTWROS account with your spouse, 50% of its value will be included in your taxable estate. If it is titled as JTWROS with someone besides your spouse, the entire value of the account may go into your taxable estate, unless the other owner has made contributions to the account.

Are joint tenancy accounts taxable?

In general, property held in joint-tenancy by husband and wife does not result in any special tax consequences to the spouses because most couples file joint income tax returns in which all of their income and expenses, gains, and losses are aggregated.

What are the tax implications of a joint investment account?

Not only are joint brokerage accounts taxable – meaning any gains incurred in the account must be reported to the IRS, even if you don’t take the proceeds out of the account – but contributions can also trigger gift tax liabilities.