What type of legal settlements are not taxable?
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What type of legal settlements are not taxable?
Recoveries for physical injuries and physical sickness are tax-free, but symptoms of emotional distress are not physical. If you sue for physical injuries, damages are tax-free. Before 1996, all “personal” damages were tax-free, so emotional distress and defamation produced tax-free recoveries.
Can the IRS take my lawsuit settlement?
The IRS is authorized to levy, or garnish, a substantial portion of your wages; to seize real and personal property you own, such as your home and your automobiles and even take money that’s owed to you. However, the IRS cannot take your workers’ compensation settlement for several reasons.
Do I pay taxes on divorce settlement money?
Maintenance payments made by a spouse or that are attributable to a payment made by a spouse is exempt income of the receiving spouse. If a spouse receives income from an existing trust as maintenance payments instead of directly from the other spouse, tax will be payable on that income.
