Definition
A tax-free section 1035 exchange is the exchange of :
(a) a life insurance contract for another life insurance, endowment, or annuity contract,
(b) an endowment contract for an annuity contract or for another endowment contract that provides for regular payments to begin no later than they would have begun under the old contract, and
(c) an annuity contract for another annuity contract.
However, the distribution of other property or the cancellation of a contract loan at the time of the exchange may be taxable and reportable on a separate Form 1099-R.
These exchanges of contracts are generally reportable on Form 1099-R. However, reporting on Form 1099-R is not required if (a) the exchange occurs within the same company, (b) the exchange is solely a contract for contract exchange, as defined above, that does not result in a designated distribution, and (c) the company maintains adequate records of the policyholder’s basis in the contracts. For example, a life insurance contract issued by Company X received in exchange solely for another life insurance contract previously issued by Company X does not have to be reported on Form 1099-R as long as the company maintains the required records. See Rev. Proc. 92-26, 1992-1 C.B. 744, for certain exchanges for which reporting is not required under section 6047(d). Also see Rev. Rul. 2007-24 for certain transactions that do not qualify as tax-free exchanges.
Referring Cite
IRC § 1035, Revenue Ruling 2003-76
Additional Helpful Information
- Section 1035(a)(3) provides that no gain or loss shall be recognized on the exchange of an annuity contract for an annuity contract.
-
Section 1.1035-1 of the Income Tax Regulations provides that the exchange, without recognition of gain or loss, of an annuity contract for another annuity contract under § 1035(a)(3) is limited to cases in which the same person or persons are the obligee or obligees under the contract received in the exchange as under the original contract.
-
If a Taxpayer receives a check from a life insurance company under a nonqualified annuity contract, the endorsement of the check to a second company as consideration for a second annuity contract does not qualify as a tax-free exchange under § 1035(a)(3). Instead, the amount received is taxable to the extent set forth in § 72(e).
-
A payor may have to report exchanges of insurance contracts, including an exchange under section 1035, under which any designated distribution may be made. For a section 1035 exchange that is in part taxable, the payor must file a separate Form 1099-R to report the taxable amount
