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Level 2
posted May 29, 2024 10:28:13 AM

death benefit

if i received a death benefit when my parent passed away, how much tax will i owe, and can i pay it now?

 

0 7 3993
2 Best answers
Expert Alumni
May 29, 2024 10:40:35 AM

The percentage of tax will be based on your total income from all sources. 

Expert Alumni
May 29, 2024 10:43:04 AM

20% is the standard withholding, you can use the refund calculator to make sure it is enough

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/calculators/taxcaster/

7 Replies
Expert Alumni
May 29, 2024 10:32:35 AM

If it is a death benefit from a life insurance policy then it is not taxable. If it is from a retirement plan it is taxable and taxes should be withheld when the money is disbursed to you.

Level 2
May 29, 2024 10:34:21 AM

Hi again,

 

it was from a retirement plan. Do you know the % ill have to pay? (10% - 20%)?

Level 2
May 29, 2024 10:37:14 AM

20% was withheld when it was disbursed, so im good right?

Expert Alumni
May 29, 2024 10:40:35 AM

The percentage of tax will be based on your total income from all sources. 

Level 2
May 29, 2024 10:42:14 AM

much appreciated! Thanks!

Expert Alumni
May 29, 2024 10:43:04 AM

20% is the standard withholding, you can use the refund calculator to make sure it is enough

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/calculators/taxcaster/

Expert Alumni
May 29, 2024 3:19:56 PM

It depends.  If the death benefit was an inherited traditional IRA, you will most likely pay income taxes at your ordinary tax rate on the distribution.  (Not applicable to a Roth IRA, as long as the Roth IRA was open for at least five years.)  Federal tax law requires withholding of 20% of the taxable portion of the lump sum benefit paid.  If your ordinary income tax rate is more than 20%, you will pay the difference in taxes.  It may help to use a Tax Calculator such as TurboTax's Tax Caster tax calculator  to determine how much you will, or will not, owe when you file your taxes.