Do i have to pay taxes on insurance settlement for home repair?

[danmantmd]

Filing status is married filing jointly.  My wife was employed by a home builder in 2015.  Her house flooded.  Insurance payments for repair were made out to her, her ex-husband (joint owner of the house) and her employer/contractor.  She later quit that job as is now working elsewhere.

Her former employer (the home builder/contractor) sent a 1099-misc form listing the money received from insurance settlement.

do we have to pay taxes on this, even though it was not earned income and was spent to repair the house?

[Ad18]

No.

[cjpostal]

I had a fire in July and had a total loss of my residence. I have received some  money towards my loss.  Do I claim as income? Do I have to pay taxes on it?

[JohnB5677]

Money you receive as part of an insurance claim or settlement is typically not taxed.  The IRS only levies taxes on income, which is money or payment received that results in you having more wealth than you did before.

You may even qualify for a tax deduction.  The amount you deduct will depend on your adjusted gross income and how much of your loss is reimbursed by your insurance company.

 The IRS will allow you to deduct the loss in the tax year you experience it or the previous year. Report casualty losses on IRS Form 4684.

1. Search for "casualty loss" 
2. Click the "Jump to" link in the search results.
3. On the Casualties and Thefts (or Stolen or Damaged Items) screen, select Yes.
4. Answer the interview questions describing your event.

When you complete the event and reach the Property Summary screen, you can enter any additional property losses by selecting the Add a Property button.