Question

illy fell off a bar stool and hurt his back. As a result, he was unable to work for three months. He sued the bar owner and collected $100,000 for the physical injury and $50,000 for the loss of income. Billy also collected $15,000 from an income replacement insurance policy he purchased. Amber was away from work for three months following heart bypass surgery. Amber collected $30,000 under an income replacement policy purchased by her employer. Are the amounts received by Billy and Amber treated the same under the tax law? Explain.

Answer 1

Answer:

No, the tax treatment will not be same.

All the amounts received by Billy, are during the course of business, and are related to the damages caused to business, and to him personally, and under tax these all amounts are tax free:

Amount received for personal injury of $100,000 is tax free as is related to expense of his personal recovery.

The amount of $50,000 and $15,000 though received from different sources but is for the same purpose of loss of income and destruction caused to business.

Whereas, amber is an employee, she is not the owner and therefore, all of the benefits received from her workplace are taxable.

As the policy was purchased by the employer and therefore, any amount received from such policy by amber will be taxable as a perquisite received from employer.