Will I Owe Taxes On My Vehicle Accident Settlement or Judgment?

If you have received a settlement or judgment following a vehicle accident, you’re probably wondering, “Do I have to pay taxes on that money?” The short answer is, “In most cases, no.” However, that is not a hard and fast rule, and the answer depends on the nature and circumstances of your settlement or judgment.

It is important to know that only your tax advisor can give you tax advice. Generally, settlements and judgments are viewed the same when it comes to the question of taxes. So, it doesn’t matter whether the money you received is through a settlement at the claim stage, or through a judgment following a trial.

How Does the Tax Code Affect My Settlement?

The applicable language of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulation addressing the question of taxability of settlements and judgments is found at 26 C.F.R 1. It reads in part:

§1.104-1 Compensation for injuries or sickness.

(c) Damages received on account of personal physical injuries or physical sickness—(1) In general. Section 104(a)(2) excludes from gross income the amount of any damages (other than punitive damages) received (whether by suit or agreement and whether as lump sums or as periodic payments) on account of personal physical injuries or physical sickness. Emotional distress is not considered a physical injury or physical sickness. However, damages for emotional distress attributable to a physical injury or physical sickness are excluded from income under section 104(a)(2). Section 104(a)(2) also excludes damages not in excess of the amount paid for medical care (described in section 213(d)(1)(A) or (B)) for emotional distress.

Money Received for Medical Expenses and Injuries

The vast majority of settlements and judgments are for only “compensatory damages” and “general damages.” Those categories of damages are meant to compensate you for your medical expenses, lost wages, and the pain and suffering that arises directly from your injuries.

In a typical settlement where you receive only compensatory and general damages for your physical injuries and medical expenses, most of that amount is usually not subject to taxes. This is because that type of settlement or judgment is meant to reimburse you for your out-of-pocket losses.

Money Received for Vehicle and Property Damage

Any compensation you receive for vehicle damage resulting from a car accident is not taxable. This is true for the costs of repairs that were paid as well as any reimbursement you might have received for a rental car while your vehicle was in the repair shop.

Compensation for Lost Income

Generally speaking, any settlement or judgment amount you receive as compensation for lost income is subject to income tax. The reasoning is that your original income would have been taxable had you not suffered the income loss, so any compensation intended to replace that same lost income should be taxable as well.

If your settlement or judgment includes compensation for other types of losses in addition to lost wages, such as medical bills, you must still pay taxes on that portion of the settlement or judgment that is attributable to the lost wages.

What If I am Awarded Punitive Damages?

It is rare that punitive damages are included as part of a car accident settlement or judgment. This category of personal injury damages is usually intended as just what the name implies — punishment against the defendant — and to deter future bad behavior. They are only awarded in pretty extraordinary circumstances where the defendant has engaged in particularly outrageous or egregious behavior. In the rare even that you do receive punitive damages in a personal injury case, know that those damages are almost always taxable.

Always remember, if you’ve got more complex questions about the tax implications of a personal injury settlement or judgment, it’s best to seek out the advice of a tax professional.

source: Nola