What is the portion of an annuities payment that is nontaxable?

The portion of an annuity payment that is nontaxable is the return of the principal paid in. This is because the principal amount that an individual invested in the annuity has already been taxed when it was earned or saved. Therefore, when the annuity payouts begin, the return of these principal contributions does not incur additional taxes. This aligns with the tax rules governing annuities, where only the earnings or interest portion of the payments is subject to taxation.

Understanding this concept is crucial for individuals planning for retirement, as they need to be aware of the tax implications of their income in retirement. Knowing that the return of their principal is not taxable can help them accurately estimate their net income from annuity payments. Meanwhile, the entire payment, the expected return of the principal paid in, and the interest accrued would not be considered accurate due to the taxable nature of the interest or earnings portion within those contexts.