Question

Discuss the major taxation benefits regarding life annuity contracts

Answer 1

Taxes on annuities are due after you begin to receive income payments from them. How annuities are taxed depends on how they were initially set up. If you purchase an annuity with pre-tax dollars, payments from the annuity are fully taxable as income. If you buy an annuity with after-tax funds, you are required to pay taxes only on the earnings.

One of the main tax advantages of annuities is they allow investments to grow tax-free until the funds are withdrawn. This includes dividends, interest and capital gains, all of which may be fully reinvested while they remain in the annuity. This allows your investment to grow without being reduced by tax payments.

But this seemingly simple perk is accompanied by a raft of complicated rules about what funds are taxed, how they are taxed and when they are taxed.

Because of the complexity, it’s best to consult with a tax professional when purchasing an annuity and before withdrawing any funds.

Annuities are tax deferred. But that doesn’t mean they’re a way to avoid taxes completely. What this means is taxes are not due until you receive income payments from your annuity. Withdrawals and lump sum distributions from an annuity are taxed as ordinary income. They do not receive the benefit of being taxed as capital gains.