Life insurance policies are granted preferred tax treatment, with death benefits distributable tax-free to beneficiaries, but some distributions from a life insurance policy are subject to income tax. For instance, although inside buildup of policy value occurs tax-free, when that value is tapped through policy withdrawals, the policy owner may be taxed on the distribution. Current income taxation can also result when a policy is cancelled or otherwise terminated when a policy loan is outstanding, as illustrated by a recent Tax Court case.

For previous coverage of life insurance developments in Advisor’s Journal, see Life Insurance: Iron-Clad Asset Protection or Chink in the Armor? (CC 10-114) and IRS Blesses Life Insurance Policy Held by Profit-Sharing Plan (CC 10-96).  Read this complete article at AdvisorFX (sign up for a free trial subscription with full access to all of the planning libraries and client presentations if you are not already a subscriber).

For in-depth analysis of policy loans and withdrawals, see Advisor’s Main Library: Section 19.1 G—Tax Treatment Of Policy Loan Interest and Section 19.1 C—Taxation of Amounts Payable During Life.

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Tags: Asset protection, Cash value, insurance, Insurance policy, Internal Revenue Service, life insurance, Tax

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