Memorial Merits launches expanded inherited annuity tax calculator

Memorial Merits has released a free online calculator that estimates the taxable portion of an inherited annuity in about a minute, with no sign-up required. The tool is meant to help beneficiaries and executors understand payout choices and federal tax rules before they file claims.

Why it matters: - Inherited annuities can create an immediate tax decision for beneficiaries while funeral bills and estate paperwork are still pending. - The payout choice on an insurance claim form can change how much tax is due and when the tax bill lands. - Memorial Merits is trying to give families a fast estimate before they make an irreversible filing choice.

What happened: - Memorial Merits released an expanded version of its Inherited Annuity Tax Calculator on Sept. 13, 2026. - The free online tool estimates how much of an inherited annuity is taxable in about one minute. - The calculator requires no account, email address or phone number. - Memorial Merits made the tool available on its inherited annuity tax calculator page.

The details: - The calculator is built for adults who inherited an annuity from a parent, spouse or other relative, as well as executors handling an estate that includes an annuity. - The tool explains the federal tax rules behind each estimate, including the 5-year rule, the SECURE Act 10-year rule and the one-year deadline to start lifetime payments. - The calculator covers qualified annuities funded with pre-tax money, which are fully taxable, and non-qualified annuities, which are taxed only on earnings. - The page states that inherited annuities do not receive a step-up in basis under Internal Revenue Code section 1014(c). - The tool compares lump-sum payouts with spreading payments over time. - The calculator also addresses options for a surviving spouse and deadlines that can be missed while estate paperwork is still being processed. - Each tax rule on the page links to the IRS or to the tax code on Cornell Law School's Legal Information Institute. - The page cites 10 IRS pages and 10 sections of the Internal Revenue Code. - The calculator answers nine common questions about inherited annuity tax. - The tool says it provides an estimate, not a final tax bill, and that a licensed professional should confirm the exact number.

Between the lines: - Memorial Merits is positioning the calculator as a consumer tool in a space dominated by annuity sellers. - Founder Gabriel Killian said most existing calculators that rank for the topic are published by companies that sell annuities. - The emphasis on plain language suggests the company is targeting families who are dealing with a death, not tax professionals. - The design also nudges users toward understanding the tax impact before they sign an insurance company claim form.

What's next: - Memorial Merits says it will continue offering free planning tools alongside funeral home directories, probate guides and executor resources. - The company also publishes funeral and cremation cost guides for all 50 states and Washington, D.C. - Memorial Merits continues to operate its inherited annuity calculator as part of its broader end-of-life planning platform.

The bottom line: - The new calculator gives beneficiaries a quick, no-cost way to see how much of an inherited annuity may be taxable before they choose a payout option.