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TurboTax asked if any portion of my taxable pension came from a commercial annuity. What is a "commercial annuity" vis a vis some other type of annuity?

 
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2 Replies
robtm
Level 10

TurboTax asked if any portion of my taxable pension came from a commercial annuity. What is a "commercial annuity" vis a vis some other type of annuity?

A "commercial annuity" is one you purchase from an insurance company vs one like Social Security or a company pension.

HopeS
Expert Alumni

TurboTax asked if any portion of my taxable pension came from a commercial annuity. What is a "commercial annuity" vis a vis some other type of annuity?


If you receive annuity payments from a nonqualified retirement plan, you must use General Rule. Under the General Rule, you figure out the taxable and tax-free parts of your annuity payments using life expectancy tables that the IRS issues.

 

It needs to be a nonqualified plan. If unsure please inquire with your plan administrator if the following applies::

  1. Who must use the General Rule. Use this publication below  if you receive pension or annuity payments from a nonqualified plan (for example, a private annuity, a purchased commercial annuity, or a nonqualified employee plan); or
  2. Your annuity starting date is before November 19, 1996 (and after July 1, 1986), and you don't qualify to

A qualified plan if:

  1. Your annuity starting date is before November 19, 1996 (and after July 1, 1986), and you don't qualify to use, or didn't choose to use, the Simplified Method; or
  2. Your annuity starting date is after November 18, 1996, and as of that date, you are age 75 or over, and the annuity payments are guaranteed for at least 5 years.


Review IRS Publication below for additional information.

 

General Rule and Simplified Method

 

Qualified plans include:
 

  • 401(k)s
  • 403(b)s (also known as tax-sheltered annuity plans)
  • 457 plans for government employees
  • Traditional IRAs
  • Roth IRAs
  • SEP and SIMPLE plans for employees of small businesses
  • Pension plans
  • Profit-sharing plans
  • Stock bonus plans

Non-qualified plans include:
 

  • Life insurance policies (if the distribution is full payment)
  • Private or purchased commercial annuities
  • Military retirement plans

@jpatter238 

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