What Counts as Nontaxable Income?

Navigating the complex world of income taxation can feel like deciphering a cryptic code, especially when it comes to determining what counts and doesn’t count as taxable income. It’s easy enough to calculate your earnings from your regular job, but what about things like monetary gifts, hobby income, insurance payouts, and interest from bonds?

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has established guidelines that all income is taxable unless the tax law specifically excludes it. It’s critically important to know what counts as taxable and nontaxable income because failing to report taxable income could lead to IRS penalties. 

What Is Taxable Income?

Taxable income is the portion of your earnings that contributes to your overall tax liability. This includes salary payments, wages, self-employment income, rental income, and most types of investment gains. Essentially, it encompasses any financial gains you've made that are not explicitly designated as nontaxable by the IRS. All taxable income, as defined by the IRS, is subject to federal income tax and must be reported on your income tax return.

What Is Nontaxable Income?

Nontaxable income encompasses various earnings and benefits that are not subject to federal taxes. These sources of income are typically excluded from your taxable income calculation and offer a financial reprieve by reducing your overall tax bill.

Nontaxable income can come from diverse sources. Understanding the scope of nontaxable income is crucial for individuals and businesses alike, as it can significantly impact your tax planning and financial decision-making. Failing to report taxable income is also one of the most common tax mistakes people make when filling out their tax returns.

The Most Common Types of Nontaxable Income

These are some of the most common types of nontaxable income that individuals may encounter. These sources of income offer a valuable opportunity to reduce your tax liability to the federal government and better manage your financial resources.

Life Insurance Payouts

Life insurance proceeds received by beneficiaries are considered nontaxable income under most circumstances. When an individual holds a life insurance policy and passes away, the beneficiaries named in the policy generally receive the death benefit as a tax-free lump sum.

Accelerated Death Benefits

In certain situations, individuals who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness or chronic medical condition may access a portion of their life insurance death benefit while they are still alive through an option known as accelerated death benefits. In most cases, these benefits are nontaxable as long as they meet specific criteria outlined by the IRS.

Inheritances

Inheritances, often comprising cash, property, or investments, are generally tax-free income for recipients. Typically, any estate taxes due are paid by the deceased person's estate. While federal income tax rarely applies to inheritances due to the high threshold (in 2023, it is $12.92 million), it's important to note that state-specific inheritance tax laws can vary.

Consulting a tax professional is advisable to grasp the nuances of any inheritance and estate taxes that might apply at the federal and state levels.

Employer-Provided Group-Term Life Insurance

Generally, the value of employer-paid group-term life insurance coverage up to $50,000 isn't counted as taxable income so you don't have to pay income tax on it. However, any coverage exceeding this amount, minus any contributions you make towards it, should be included as taxable income.

Disability Insurance Payments

Disability payments offer financial assistance when you're unable to work due to physical injury or illness. The good news is that these payments are typically considered tax-exempt income if you paid all the premiums for your health or accident insurance plan.

However, if you paid through a cafeteria plan and you didn't include the insurance premiums in your taxable income every tax year, then the disability benefits are taxable.

Workers' Compensation

The IRS considers workers' compensation payments as nontaxable income. This means that the compensation you receive due to a work-related injury or illness won't increase your tax liability.

Alimony

Alimony payments you received should be excluded from your taxable income if the divorce or separation agreement was either executed after 2018 or executed before 2019 but later modified to include the repeal of the alimony payment deduction.

Child Support

Child support payments you receive are considered nontaxable income and should be excluded from your taxable income when filing your taxes.

Scholarships, Grants, and Financial Aid

Scholarships, grants, and financial aid are typically considered tax-free income by the IRS, provided they are used for qualified educational expenses. Any portion used for room and board is taxable income and must be claimed on your tax return.

Financial Gifts

Financial gifts from friends or family are not considered taxable income. However, if they generate income (e.g., interest), you may owe federal tax during that tax year.

Sale of a Principal Residence

If you meet certain criteria, you can exclude up to $250,000 of profit (or $500,000 if married) from your taxable income. To qualify, you typically need to have owned and lived in the home for at least two of the last five years. Keep records of your home's purchase price, improvements, and expenses to ensure accurate calculations, which can be done on Worksheet 2 located in the IRS's Publication 523: Selling Your Home.

Energy Conservation Subsidies

Energy conservation subsidies from government programs promote energy-efficient practices. They offer tax-free benefits, encouraging renewable energy use, insulation upgrades, and energy-efficient appliances.

Roth Retirement Account Income

Contributions to a Roth IRA are made with after-tax dollars, which means that when you withdraw money from the account during retirement, it's generally tax-free if it is a qualified distribution. However, there are specific rules regarding contributions, withdrawals, and eligibility, so consult a financial advisor to maximize the benefits of your Roth IRA.

Municipal Bond Interest

Municipal bonds are issued by state or local governments to fund various public projects. These bonds offer investors the opportunity to earn tax-free interest income. Furthermore, if you purchase municipal bonds from your home state, the interest is typically not subject to state taxes either.

Which States Give a State Tax Exemption on Personal Income?

You don't have to pay state income tax in these seven states: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming. This is good news for our individual and business clients at our office in Jacksonville, Florida, where we provide tax preparation and strategic tax and financial planning services. Please note that the local clients we serve in our SC, NC, and GA locations are subject to state income tax.

Know What Counts

In the intricate world of income taxation, understanding the distinction between taxable and nontaxable income is paramount. While the IRS generally imposes federal tax on most forms of income, recognizing the nontaxable income exceptions can lead to substantial savings and smarter financial decisions.

From life insurance payouts and inheritances to disability benefits and financial gifts, nontaxable income sources can provide much-needed relief when it comes to calculating your tax bill. It's crucial to leverage these opportunities wisely, consult a tax professional when necessary, and stay informed about changes in tax laws.