# KRS § 140.030: 140.030 Taxation of contracts in contemplation of death -- Proceeds of life insurance policies -- Exemptions

> Kentucky · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TXI_C140_S140.030

## Section

- **Citation:** KRS § 140.030
- **Heading:** 140.030 Taxation of contracts in contemplation of death -- Proceeds of life insurance policies -- Exemptions
- **Jurisdiction:** Kentucky
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** KY Code / Title XI / Chapter 140 / Section 140.030

## Text

140.030 Taxation of contracts in contemplation of death -- Proceeds of life

insurance policies -- Exemptions.

(1) If it appears, either from the will of the decedent or from extrinsic evidence, that an

obligation of a contractual nature exists in favor of any person payable at or after

death of the decedent, the sum so payable shall be treated for the purposes of this

chapter as a taxable transfer, unless it affirmatively appears by competent evidence

that a consideration substantially equivalent in value to the amount due under the

contract was paid or furnished by or for the other party thereto during the life of the

decedent.

(2) The proceeds payable under any life insurance policy on the death of the assured

(other than a United States government life insurance policy or national service life

insurance policy issued by or through the federal government), payable to the

assured or his estate, shall be taxable as a part of the legacy as a distributable share

of the beneficiary. The proceeds of an insurance policy payable to a designated

beneficiary, including a testamentary or inter vivos trustee, other than the assured or

his estate, shall be tax-free. The proceeds payable under any United States

government life insurance policy or national service life insurance policy issued by

or through the federal government, whether payable to a designated beneficiary or

to the assured or his estate, and any pension or annuity payments made or to be

made to the surviving spouse of an employee of a railroad or other carrier under the

Federal Railroad Retirement Act of 1935 as amended, shall be tax-free, and shall

not be considered in determining the value of any taxable transfer.

## Nearby sections

- [KRS § 140.010 140.010 Levy of inheritance tax -- Property affected -- When tax attaches](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TXI_C140_S140.010.md)
- [KRS § 140.015 140.015 Exemption of benefits from federal government arising out of military service](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TXI_C140_S140.015.md)
- [KRS § 140.020 140.020 Taxation of transfers made in contemplation of death -- Revocable trusts -- Presumption of contemplation -- When presumption does not apply](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TXI_C140_S140.020.md)
- [KRS § 140.030 140.030 Taxation of contracts in contemplation of death -- Proceeds of life insurance policies -- Exemptions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TXI_C140_S140.030.md)
- [KRS § 140.040 140.040 Taxation of transfers by power of appointment -- When transfer deemed to take place -- Date as of which value of property determined -- Remainder interests -- Rates and exemptions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TXI_C140_S140.040.md)
- [KRS § 140.050 140.050 Taxation of surviving owner of a joint interest](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TXI_C140_S140.050.md)
- [KRS § 140.060 140.060 Exemption of transfers to educational, religious and charitable institutions, and to cities and public institutions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TXI_C140_S140.060.md)
- [KRS § 140.063 140.063 Exemption of annuities or other payments under employees' trusts -- Retirement annuities -- Individual retirement bonds, accounts, and annuities](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TXI_C140_S140.063.md)
- [KRS § 140.070 140.070 Inheritance tax rates](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TXI_C140_S140.070.md)
- [KRS § 140.080 140.080 Exemptions of inheritable interests](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TXI_C140_S140.080.md)
- [KRS § 140.090 140.090 Deductions allowed from distributive shares](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TXI_C140_S140.090.md)
- [KRS § 140.095 140.095 Credit in case same property passes again within five years](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TXI_C140_S140.095.md)
- [KRS § 140.100 140.100 Valuation of future and contingent estates -- Taxation of life estates -- Valuation of surviving spouse's interest in trust or life estate](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TXI_C140_S140.100.md)
- [KRS § 140.110 140.110 Taxation of contingent and defeasible estates](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TXI_C140_S140.110.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TXI_C140_S140.030. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.
