When must an employee report income from a split-dollar insurance plan?

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Income from a split-dollar insurance plan must be reported by the employee when the death benefit is paid out. In a split-dollar arrangement, both the employer and employee contribute to the life insurance policy, and upon the death of the insured employee, the death benefit is paid out to the beneficiaries. At that point, the employee must report any income received as it may represent a taxable event, particularly if the employee has a vested interest in the policy or if the structure of the split-dollar arrangement provides them with economic benefit.

Understanding the tax implications of split-dollar life insurance is critical for financial planning and reporting. The timing of income recognition aligns closely with significant events related to the policy, particularly the payout of death benefits, which typically trigger tax liabilities.