Description: Chairperson column - update on section activity

Description: This article discusses the implications of a principle-based reserve PBR system with respect to federal income taxation of life insurance companies, particularly with respect to tax reserves and their deductibility for tax purposes. The article discusses potential problems with existing tax rules for reserve deduction, what courses of action the IRS could take, and suggestions for design features of a PBR approach that would make it more consistent with current tax rules. Life insurance product tax implications are also discussed.

Description: The Chairperson of the Taxation Section discusses how the section will deal with changes to the US Tax Code.

Description: This 2008 supplement addresses the issues that have arisen in life insurance tax laws related to IRC 7702 and 7702A since the book was published in 2004. It also enhances and clarifies issues that were addressed in the text, adding detail and further discussion.

Description: On June 26, 2013, the Supreme Court released its decision in the case of United States v. Windsor, Executor of the Estate of Spyer, et al. addressing the constitutionality of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (“DOMA”). This article explores the implications for life insurance and annuity contract spousal provisions that are governed by federal law.

Description: On April 24, 2015, Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) published proposed regulations (REG-108214-15) that provide guidance regarding when a foreign insurance company’s income is excluded from the definition of passive income under Section 1297(b)(2)(B). The proposed regulations are directed at hedge funds that purport to establish a foreign reinsurance company in an effort to avoid treatment as a passive foreign investment company (PFIC), but could have unintended consequences for traditional insurance companies.

Description: SECURE 2.0 included provisions that improve the ability of insurers to serve those who own qualified annuities. Several previously disallowed distribution methods are now allowed. These changes should increase the availability and desirability by contract owners to choose a payout annuity compared to required minimum distributions. An insurer considering enhancing qualified annuitization offerings might follow the approach outlined to potentially increase qualified annuitization sales and assist contract owners in protecting their principal more directly than previously.

Description: Notice 2004-611 is the latest in a series of administrative pronouncements from the Internal Revenue Service related to the appropriate mortality assumptions to be used in computing the definitional limitations under Internal Revenue Code Section 7702 and the seven-pay limitation under the Section 7702A modified endowment rules.

Description: One of the significant tax benefits of a life insurance contract is that, for purposes of determining the taxable amount of proceeds received under the contract on distributions or surrender,the investment in the contract includes the aggregate amount of premiums, unreduced by the cost of insurance provided IRC section 72c. IRS rules net surrender value reserves must be reduced by a YRT reserve credit.

Description: Legislation imposing new restrictions on a wide range of compensation arrangements was signed into law on October 22, 2004. The American Jobs Creation ActAJCA adds a new section 409A to the Internal Revenue Code, which imposes restrictions on funding, distributions, and elections to participate in nonqualified deferred compensation plans.