Why Invest in Annuities?
Exclusion ratios are tax-exempt portions of your annuity return. For example, each annuity payment you receive can be split into two distinct parts. The annuity investment capital is one portion. The other portion is an additional amount that is taxed at the current income rate. This portion is interest that you’ve earned. Consequently, it’s taxed as regular income would be. The capital portion of the return is not taxed. The return on capital, or the additional balance after the principal capital is subtracted, is taxed. This is because it’s considered part of the annuitant’s gross income.
What Is The Exclusion Ratio?
The exclusion ratio is a calculable ratio used to identify the portion payout that is excluded from taxable income. The exclusion ratio is the amount that the annuitant invested into the annuity divided by the return expected from the investment. Apply this exclusion ratio to each annuity payout. Now, identify the percentage of each return that is tax-free. Do not consider it part of gross income.
For example, say that an annuitant invests $158,000 into an annuity. The potential income stream based on life expectancy could be $264,000. The exclusion ratio would be $158,000 / $264,000, or 60%. The tax-exempt portion of a $1,250 per month payment would then be $750. The remaining $500 balance would be taxable as additional gross income.
Take the below as a more realistic representation of the exclusion ratio:
**This is strictly hypothetical. Any illustration you get from an advisor will show exact numbers.
What Is The Benefit of The Exclusion Ratio For The Annuitant?
You don’t need to add the tax-exempt return to your W2 or tax return during tax season. It’s completely exempt from gross income taxation.
Annuities calculate the payout based on the life expectancy of the annuitant. Consequently, requirements do apply for these types of investments. Use IRS tables to determine the total expected value. Different tax exempt rules apply to those annuitants who have retirement plans under the IRS public school employment laws which may allow the annuitant to have a greater amount of tax exemptions from an annuity.
