Oracle to pay 3 of 2013's dividends this year

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Oracle Corp. will pay three of next year's quarterly dividends this year in an apparent attempt to avoid possible tax hikes its investors may face.

Oracle said Monday that it will pay dividends for the second, third and fourth quarters of 2013, totaling 18 cents per share, on Dec. 21 to shareholders of record as of Dec. 14.

The software company is the latest of a string of companies that have moved up quarterly payouts or issued special dividends. The current historically low tax rate of 15 percent on dividend income will expire in January, unless Congress and the President reach a compromise on the so-called fiscal cliff. Dividends could be taxed as ordinary income in 2013, the same as wages. Rates would rise depending on a taxpayer's income bracket.