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If you’ve inherited EE or I savings bonds that haven’t yet reached maturity, the federal tax rules can be complicated.
Most people who own EE or I bonds opt to defer reporting the interest as income for federal tax purposes until the earlier of the year the bonds mature or when they’re cashed in. So if you inherit EE or I bonds that haven’t yet matured, who is taxed on the predeath accrued interest?
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It depends on how that predeath interest is treated on the decedent’s final income tax return.
If the executor elects to include all predeath interest on that final return, then the beneficiary reports post-death interest on Form 1040 when the bonds mature or are cashed in, whichever comes first.
If the executor doesn’t include predeath interest on the decedent’s final return, then the beneficiary owes federal income tax on all pre- and post-death interest on the earlier of the bond’s maturity or redemption.
The Tax Court recently addressed this exact set of facts. In the case, a man who inherited a savings bond from his dad had it reissued in his name and later redeemed it. Treasury Direct sent him a Form 1099-INT reporting interest that accrued from the date his dad bought the bond.
But the son reported on his 1040 only the amount of interest that accrued from when the bond was reissued in his name until he cashed it in. That’s wrong. The dad never reported interest earned on the bond during his lifetime, and no election was made by his executor to include all the interest on the dad’s final Form 1040 when he died (Hitchman, TC Summ. Op. 2023-18).
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FAQs
It depends on how that predeath interest is treated on the decedent's final income tax return. If the executor elects to include all predeath interest on that final return, then the beneficiary reports post-death interest on Form 1040 when the bonds mature or are cashed in, whichever comes first.
How are inherited EE bonds taxed? ›
You report the interest that accumulated on the bond during the bondholder's lifetime on their final tax return. The estate would be responsible for paying any tax due and going forward, you'd owe tax on any interest that continues to accrue on reissued bonds.
Does the beneficiary of an I bond pay taxes? ›
But if the executor doesn't include the interest earned up until the date of death on the final tax return, the beneficiary will have to pay taxes on all the interest earned when the bond is redeemed or matures, whichever happens first.
What happens when you inherit an I bond? ›
If a surviving co-owner or beneficiary is named on the savings bond, the bond goes directly to that person. It does not become part of the estate of the person who died.
Will EE savings bond be completely tax free if you use the proceeds to pay for? ›
Using the money for higher education may keep you from paying federal income tax on your savings bond interest.
Who pays taxes on inherited EE savings bonds? ›
If the executor doesn't include predeath interest on the decedent's final return, then the beneficiary owes federal income tax on all pre- and post-death interest on the earlier of the bond's maturity or redemption.
What to do with inherited series EE bonds? ›
TO CASH BONDS FOR A DECEDENT'S ESTATE:
Series EE, Series E, and Series I bonds can be cashed at a local financial institution. Some of these transactions may have to be forwarded for further processing. Series HH and Series H bonds must be sent to one of the addresses shown at the bottom of the following page.
How to avoid paying taxes on inherited savings bonds? ›
You can roll savings bonds into a 529 college savings plan or a Coverdell Education Savings Account (ESA) to avoid taxes. There are some advantages to either approach. With a 529 college savings plan, you can continue saving money on a tax-advantaged basis for higher education.
How much tax will I pay on my EE savings bonds? ›
The interest on EE bonds isn't taxed as it accrues unless the owner elects to have it taxed annually. If an election is made, all previously accrued but untaxed interest is also reported in the election year. In most cases, this election isn't made so bond holders receive the benefits of tax deferral.
What is the cost basis of inherited I bonds? ›
For inherited bonds, the cost basis is generally the market value of the bonds at the date of the original owner's death, known as the “step-up in basis.”6 This can significantly differ from the deceased's original purchase price.
Get a certified copy of the death certificate for everyone who has died who is named on any of the bonds. Have each person who is entitled to a distributed bond also fill out and sign the appropriate forms: If they want cash for their bond: FS Form 1522. If it is an EE or I bond and they want to keep it: FS Form 4000.
How are I bonds taxed? ›
Interest on I bonds is exempt from state and local taxes but taxed at the federal level at ordinary income-tax rates.
How do I list beneficiaries on I bonds? ›
Under Manage My Account, click Update my Registration List. Click Add Registration. Select the Beneficiary check box at the top. Under First-Named Registrant, fill in the Account Owner's information (Your information).
Does cashing EE bonds count as income? ›
I cashed some Series E, Series EE, and Series I savings bonds. How do I report the interest? In general, you must report the interest in income in the taxable year in which you redeemed the bonds to the extent you did not include the interest in income in a prior taxable year.
Is a US EE savings bond is exempt from state and local taxes? ›
Interest income from Treasury bills, notes and bonds - This interest is subject to federal income tax, but is exempt from all state and local income taxes.
Is there a penalty for not cashing in matured EE savings bonds? ›
While the Treasury will not penalize you for holding a U.S. Savings Bond past its date of maturity, the Internal Revenue Service will. Interest accumulated over the life of a U.S. Savings Bond must be reported on your 1040 form for the tax year in which you redeem the bond or it reaches final maturity.
What portion of an EE bond is taxable? ›
The interest on EE bonds isn't taxed as it accrues unless the owner elects to have it taxed annually. If an election is made, all previously accrued but untaxed interest is also reported in the election year. In most cases, this election isn't made so bond holders receive the benefits of tax deferral.
What if the pod on a savings bond is deceased? ›
However, if the owner dies, instead of the bond going into the person's estate, the beneficiary automatically becomes the single or sole owner. The beneficiary must be a person, not an entity. The registration says "POD" standing for "PAYABLE ON DEATH."
