INSURANCE POLICY CASH SURRENDER

[mthenderson]

I surrendered a whole life policy.  the 1099-R shows a Gross Distribution of $80,838.35, a taxable amount of 4,308.07 and an insurance premium of 76,530.28.  Turbo tax shows the Gross Distribution as the amount to be taxed.  Shouldn't I only be paying taxes on the 4,308.07.  

[JanInTx]

You are correct.  Here is what I found on the IRS site:

The life insurance proceeds are taxable.

Because you surrendered a life insurance policy for cash, you must include in your income the proceeds that are more than the cost of the life insurance policy. In general, your cost (or investment in the contract) is the total of premiums that you paid for the life insurance policy, less any refunded premiums, rebates, dividends, or unrepaid loans that were not included in your income. You should receive a Form 1099-R showing the total proceeds and the taxable portion. Report the total proceeds and the taxable portion of the proceeds on the Pensions and Annuities line of your tax return.

Hope this helps.

[mthenderson]

That is what I understood to be the case, but Turbo tax is reporting the entire distribution as taxable and not just the portion listed as taxable in the 1099-R, so I'm a little confused

[AmyC]

When you are answering the questions after entering the form, mark YES, box 2 is correct.