According to IRS Rule 1.104-1, the wrongful death settlement taxes amount you receive in a claim is still exempt from taxation. Nursing home abuse is common throughout the United States, and Arizona is no exception. An unfortunate end result of nursing home abuse is wrongful death. While a settlement can never replace the pain of losing your loved one, it may help ease your financial burden. If this happens to you, you might be wondering, “Is a wrongful death settlement taxable?”
The injury attorneys at Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm near you have significant experience in helping clients whose loved ones have been wrongful death victims. Our offices are conveniently located in nearby Chandler, Peoria, and North Phoenix, and we can meet in-person at our nearby offices, over the phone, or video call. You can contact us for a free consultation, or read on to find out more.
By the way, we will also help with other problems that have cost you sleep, like finding a nearby doctor who can help you or recommending you to temporary or long-term care options. You and your family’s’ safety and health are our top concern, and even the best legal team isn’t good enough if your quality of life isn’t sustainable while justice and compensation are on the way. The whole point of legal action is to regain quality of life, so we help you long-term as attorneys and short-term as your go-to people. Our familiarity with the local Phoenix courts makes us confident that we can help you get the best settlement possible.
To figure out how the nursing home you have chosen for your family is rated and to see if the home has any prior violations, check out our nursing home index. We’ve compiled all of the nursing homes in Arizona as well as their health code reports.
Additionally, take a look at our Nursing Home Glossary– an index of important words you need to know in a nursing home abuse case and their definitions.
If you are unsure whether or not you can afford an attorney, don’t worry. We only get paid when you settle. Check out our Attorney Fees Calculator to find out more.
When bringing a wrongful death settlement taxes in Arizona, you will be confronted with many questions, not the least of which is how your personal financial portfolio will be affected. You may ask questions like, “Is a wrongful death settlement taxable?”, “How does a wrongful death settlement work?”, “What damages are awarded in a wrongful death suit?”, and “Are income taxes paid on wrongful death settlements?”.
This guide will help you navigate the intricacies of bringing a wrongful death claim and the tax implications associated with this legal action.
What is Wrongful Death Settlement Taxes?
When someone dies, and it’s found that their death could have been prevented by a person or organization responsible for their care, this is a wrongful death.
In these circumstances, a legal case can be brought by the deceased family, and a settlement for damages is often paid out by the insurance company of the responsible party or organization.
This means the damages are often substantial and limited by the maximum allowances of the insurance policy itself.
You can read more about how Wrongful Death lawsuits work in our Wrongful Death FAQs article.
What are Recoverable Damages?
The main focus of a wrongful death claim is restitution or monetary compensation for the financial and emotional loss due to your loved one’s death.
It follows that there are two categories of recoverable damages in a wrongful death action:
- Financial damages: These are easily quantifiable damages, such as funeral or burial expenses, medical bills, and property damage. These damages can be collected on behalf of the decedent’s estate.
- General damages: These are less easily quantifiable and include pain and suffering to the family of the decedent and possibly loss of companionship if the claimant is a spouse or child of the deceased. These damages are paid directly to the family members, as the plaintiffs.
At this point, any income taxes will be due on the settlement amounts.
How Damages are Disbursed
When a settlement is paid to the decedent, it is still subject to the decedent’s liabilities and debts. In these cases, it is considered an asset to pay any remaining creditors. If no creditors exist, the finances and assets are distributed to the beneficiaries.
In many cases, damages paid to the decedent’s family are then divided amongst themselves.
However, in cases where there is disagreement and contention among family members, you may request the court to establish a distribution order. It’s important to note that this order is binding. A court of law will make a distribution determination based on the percentage of the claim entitled to each eligible family member.
Paying Income Taxes on Settlements
The law views most legal settlements as a form of income to the recipient, and most settlement taxes fall under the category of income taxes.
However, there are some settlements where this isn’t the case, including personal injury and wrongful death settlements, these are considered exempt from income taxes. So, you will not have to pay income taxes on your wrongful death settlement.
Settlement Taxes in General
The taxation of settlements can be complicated. In general, when considering if income taxes will apply, the law considers the purpose for which the settlement was intended.
All damages of a civil nature that compensate for a physical injury are exempt from income taxes. However, punitive damages, emotional damages, and interest must have income taxes paid.
When a settlement includes both physical and emotional damages, they are not taxable if the purpose of the settlement was intended to compensate for a bodily injury, as in a personal injury suit. Personal injury settlements are exempted from income taxes by the IRS.
Even if your personal injury settlement includes a pain and suffering award, the full settlement will not be taxable.
Wrongful Death Settlement Taxes
For most intents and purposes, wrongful death settlements are treated the same way as personal injury settlements when it comes to income taxes.
Wrongful death actions are also considered an exception when it comes to the taxation of punitive damages.
The I.R.C. § 104(c) states that income taxes: “shall not apply to punitive damages awarded in a civil action…which is a wrongful death action.”
Therefore, when punitive damages are paid as part of a wrongful death civil action, they will not be considered taxable income.
The IRS specifically states, “If you receive a settlement for personal physical injuries or physical sickness and did not take an itemized deduction for medical expenses related to the injury or sickness in prior years, the full amount is non-taxable. Do not include the settlement proceeds in your income.”
The purpose of the wrongful death settlement, in the eyes of the law, is to provide reimbursement to correct a wrong.
However, you should be aware of the following exceptions:
If it pushes over the inheritance tax threshold
When the settlement amount pushes the total value of the decedent’s assets over the federal threshold for tax exemption, in 2020, this estate tax limit was increased to $11.58 million.
When considering taxes, paying attention to state and federal law is essential.
When no estate tax is placed by the state, federal taxes are the only ones that apply.
Since Arizona does not have an estate tax, you will only have to contend with federal estate tax limits as long as the estate is held in Arizona.
If medical expenses were claimed as tax deductions on a previous year’s income taxes
In situations where deductions were made in the past for certain medical expenses, the IRS states:
“If you receive a settlement for personal physical injuries or physical sickness, you must include in income that portion of the settlement that is for medical expenses you deducted in any prior year(s) to the extent the deduction(s) provided a tax benefit. If part of the proceeds is for medical expenses you paid in more than one year, you must allocate on a pro rata basis the part of the proceeds for medical expenses to each of the years you paid medical expenses.”
To handle this properly, you will need the decedent’s prior years’ tax returns to calculate the total medical expense deductions and any tax benefit obtained from these deductions.
Understanding Your Income Tax Liability: Wrongful Death Settlement Taxes
Tax laws are inherently difficult to understand, so it is always advisable to speak with an Arizona attorney who is experienced in wrongful death settlements.
Seek representation early as possible, as a knowledgeable attorney can bring actions that will be taxable separately from those that will not. This will simplify your filing when you prepare your income taxes.
An Arizona wrongful death attorney can also discuss your particular situation, help you to secure a reasonable settlement, and provide you with qualified tax assistance as you manage this difficult situation.
They can help you better understand your tax liability so that if you owe taxes on your settlement you can cover your tax bill without affecting your personal finances.
Wrongful Death Settlement Taxes FAQs
My mother’s death occurred in another state. Which state’s tax laws apply?
You will need to pay attention to the laws of the state in which your mother lived.
Currently, Washington, Oregon, Minnesota, Illinois, New York, Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and District of Columbia all have a tax.
If your mother resided in one of these states, that state’s tax laws would apply. Each state has its tax limit, which will help you understand whether the settlement will be taxed and at what rate. Federal tax law exemptions apply in the absence of a state tax law.
How much time do I have in which to file a nursing home abuse wrongful death settlement taxes?
After the death of a loved one, A.R.S. § 12-542 establishes that you may file a civil suit for wrongful death within two years of the date of death.
It’s advisable to seek council early, as an experienced Arizona wrongful death attorney can help you bring your claim, obtain the maximum settlement, and help you understand the nuances of these complicated laws.
Waiting too long to seek representation or file your claim may mean you or your attorney will have less time to thoroughly gather information and evidence, and may weaken your case.
I’m not sure I can emotionally handle a court battle to settle my claim.
What can I do to avoid wrongful death settlement taxes?
The thought of going to court to fight for your rights after losing a loved one might be overwhelming. It’s natural to feel scared and vulnerable at a time like this. Not to mention that pursuing a case in court can add stress in an already trying time. Keep in mind that your case may never go to court. If the insurance company for the at-fault party admits to fault, they will offer a settlement outside of court.
However, if you wish to stay out of court you will have to negotiate your settlement with the insurance company representing the at-fault party. In order to do this, preparation is required on your part. You will need to first determine the value of your claim and gather evidence to support it.
If the settlement initially offered to you is not acceptable or does not compensate your damages, you may need to consult with an attorney to help you make your case. An attorney can handle all negotiations on your behalf. Having settled many such cases in the past, they will be familiar with how insurance companies work and will know how to earn the best settlement.
I’m worried the settlement will push the it over the exemption. Can I pursue some damages now and some later?
There is no legal way to get around paying estate taxes if they are owed. Once you reach a settlement in your case, that settlement will be binding. This means you will be unable to claim later that the settlement was insufficient or did not adequately compensate your damages.
Additionally, when you sign a settlement agreement, you will be releasing the at-fault party of future liability for the wrongful death in question. You cannot come back later and pursue damages for the same case.
Get Help Now with Your Wrongful Death Settlement Taxes
Our team of wrongful death settlement tax attorneys is dedicated to seeking damages on behalf of those family members who are being abused and help you find better accommodations for them in the nearby area. We’ve worked on a number of nursing home abuse cases previously in your area and take the time to understand the family’s concerns as well as the situation they believe their loved one is in.
At Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm near you, we have more than 15 years of experience helping clients obtain compensation for their and their loved one’s personal injuries, including those wrongful death settlement taxes in the Phoenix area. When you’re ready to talk, please contact our office to arrange a free initial consultation by phone or at our Chandler office, conveniently located near you.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of wrongful death settlement taxes, contact Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm in nearby Chandler, AZ to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. We provide personal injury legal services to clients in your area including Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe, and Peoria.
