Submitted By: Jack
Answered: May 13, 2014 8:30 am

I received a legal settlement from an insurance company as a result of my sister’s death in a car accident (I’m her next of kin). Is this taxable to me?

Sorry about your personal loss. The settlement is tax free to you because it is compensation for personal physical injury. However, if any part of the settlement is for punitive damages, those are taxable.

advertisement
Tax Glossary

Statutory employees

Certain employees, such as full-time life insurance salespersons, who may report income and deductions on Schedule C, rather than on Schedule A as miscellaneous itemized deductions.

More terms