Are Structured Settlement Payments Income?

John Darer • October 5, 2018

Do You Have to Report Structured Settlement Payments?

Structured settlement payments are income , however structured settlement payments are exempt income, if they represent payment of damages for personal physical injury, physical sickness, wrongful death or workers' compensation, and wrongful imprisonment [ see Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as Amended Sections 104(a)(1), 104(a)(2), 139F and 130].

Structured settlement payments you receive during the year under the above circumstances, are not reportable on your tax return according to two CPAs I asked.

Here's what the IRS says:

If you receive a settlement for personal physical injuries or physical sickness and did not take an itemized deduction for medical expenses related to the injury or sickness in prior years, the full amount is non- taxable . Do not include the settlement proceeds in your income.
Where structured settlement are used to pay for taxable damages or for structured attorney fees, payments are generally considered income and reportable in the year received.

Always speak to your CPA about your personal tax situation.


USAA structured settlements
By John Darer July 16, 2025
USAA Life Insurance Company, an A++ rated insurance company, issues structured settlement annuities with 1%, 2% and 3% COLAs. USAA Life structured settlements are exceptionally compatitive on lifetime benefit payments with long duration certain periods for ages under 35.
MetLife Structured Installment Sales Now Available in New York
By John Darer July 8, 2025
Owners of highly appreciated NY businesses or NY real estate may benefit from a structured installment sale tax deferral program as an alternative to a 1031 exchange. MetLife's structured installment sale program is now available in NY and in all 50 states. Call 888-325-8640 for more info
what is a qualified assignment
By John Darer July 8, 2025
A qualified assignment is part of the process to establish a structured settlement that enables a Defendant, Insurer, or Qualified Settlement Fund, to achieve a complete novation of the future periodic payment claim established by suit or agreement, through a substitution of obligors.
structured settlement annuity
By John Darer July 2, 2025
An annuity and a structured settlement walked into a bar, how do you tell them apart? 4structures' John Darer reviews the differences for you right here.
lifetime structured settlement annuity lake tahoe
By John Darer July 2, 2025
A lifetime structured settlement annuity turns part of your settlement recovery  into guaranteed income you can’t outlive that is contractually guaranteed by a regulated life insurance company. A lifetime annuity is sometimes referred to as longevity insurance.
Budgeting and Settlement Planning
By John Darer July 1, 2025
Structured settlement annuities can be very helpful to the budgeting process by providing guaranteed income streams and deferred lump sum payments tailored to specific budget needs and time frames identified in the settlement planning process.
secondary market annuity
By John Darer June 28, 2025
Structured settlement receivables are often deceptfully marketed to investors as annuities. When the originating structured settlement factoring company buys structured settlement payments in a structured settlement factoring transaction, they are buying a receivable not an annuity.
constructive receipt structured settlement
By John Darer June 21, 2025
Avoid constructive receipt if a structured settllement or structured attorney fee is to be established. Care must be taken to avoid constructive receipt.
USAA Life Insurance Company structured settlements
By John Darer June 9, 2025
Financial services provider USAA ranks 94th on Fortune 500. USAA Life Insurance Company, which earns the top rating of A++ from AMBest is often super competitive on longer term payment streams.
Prudential Income Advantage Indexed Structured Settlement Annuity
By John Darer June 2, 2025
John Darer reviews Prudential Income Advantage structured settlement annuity, which provides indexed structured settlement annuity option with the potential to grow personal injury settlement funds while offering protection from market declines. 2 IRS Private Letter Rulings!
More Posts