Independent form guide. BrieflyGo is not affiliated with or endorsed by IRS, USCIS, SSA, DOL, or any U.S. government agency. Official forms are sourced from public government websites.
Official form guide
IRS Form 1098Q is Qualified Longevity Annuity Contract Information, which reports details about QLACs. Any person issuing a contract intended to be a QLAC must file this form.
Need help with Form 1098Q?
Open it in the AI Editor for field guidance, checks, and PDF export.
Need help? AI Editor guides you through every field of Form 1098Q.
Start filling →Form Overview
IRS Form 1098Q is Qualified Longevity Annuity Contract Information, which reports details about QLACs. Any person issuing a contract intended to be a QLAC must file this form.
Plain English
This form tells the IRS about an annuity contract that qualifies as a Qualified Longevity Annuity Contract (QLAC). It provides essential information so recipients know how their payments are structured and when they should expect them. The issuer uses Form 1098-Q to report these details annually.
Submission Date
AI co-pilot
Form selector
Employee dies before annuity start date
The benefit allowed is limited to 100% of the payment that would have been payable to the employee.
✓ Check Box 5a–5l for premium details.
Surviving spouse's death occurs after required beginning date
The return of premium payment is treated as an RMD and is not eligible for rollover.
✓ Check Part M instructions for confirmation.
Payments have not started yet
Box 2 may be checked to show the start date can be accelerated, and Box 3 shows cumulative premiums paid.
✓ Verify that the reported start date in Box 1 is correct.
A return of premium payment must be paid no later than the end of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the employee dies. If the surviving spouse's death occurs after their required beginning date, the return of premium payment is treated as a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) for the year it is paid and is not eligible for rollover.
Checklist
Who must file
Any person issuing a QLAC contract · Instructions p.3
Annual furnishing requirement
The participant of the contract · Instructions p.3
Cumulative premium limit
Total premiums paid across all QLACs · Form p.4 (Box 3)
Death benefit limitation (Spouse)
Life annuity payable to surviving spouse · Instructions p.2
Life annuity start date (Beneficiary)
Designated beneficiary life annuity · Instructions p.3
Premium entry detail
Amount and date of each premium payment · Form p.4 (Boxes 5a–5l)
Field map
Payer Info
1 items
Identifying information of the business or person making the payment.
Recipient Info
1 items
Identifying information of the person or entity receiving the payment.
Amounts
1 items
The payment amount subject to reporting for the applicable box category.
Withholding
1 items
Backup withholding amount if applicable.
Signatures
1 items
Name and phone number of the person to contact about this return.
Almost done reviewing the fields?
Fillable formOpen in Editor->The current edition is Revision April 2025 and instructions for tax year 2025 and subsequent years are provided. For the latest information, filers should consult IRS.gov/Form1098Q.
Quick Facts
Downloads
Who must file Form 1098-Q?
Any person issuing a contract intended to be a QLAC must file this form.
→ Confirm the contract was intended to be a QLAC upon issuance.
What is the premium limit for 2025?
The limitation amount for premiums paid with respect to the contract in 2025 is $200,000.
→ Check Part 3 on Form 1098-Q or Instructions p.1.
When do these inflation adjustments apply?
Inflation adjustments to dollar limitations begin applying for calendar years starting on or after January 1, 2025.
→ Verify the form's revision date reads April 2025 (or later).
Do I need an Account Number always?
The account number is required if filing more than one Form 1098-Q for a single recipient, but the IRS encourages designating one for all filings.
→ Check Part L of the General Instructions.
What happens after the employee dies?
No benefits are provided under the contract after death other than those described in paragraph (q)(3) of Regulations section 1.401(a)(9)-6.
→ Review the instructions to confirm this specific exception applies.
Can a plan administrator rely on an employee's representation for premiums?
Yes, unless they have actual knowledge to the contrary, the administrator may rely on written representation for non-employer/single employer contracts.
→ Check Instructions p.2 regarding reliance limitations.
Workflow map
Before
Current
After
Often used with
⚠ If something goes wrong
This form tells the IRS about an annuity contract that qualifies as a Qualified Longevity Annuity Contract (QLAC). It provides essential information so recipients know how their payments are structured and when they should expect them. The issuer uses Form 1098-Q to report these details annually.
Any person who issues a contract intended to be a QLAC that is purchased or held under any plan, annuity, account described in section 401(a), 403(a), 403(b), or 408 (other than a Roth IRA), or eligible governmental plan under section 457(b) must file Form 1098-Q.
The form collects details such as the Plan Number, Name of Plan, and Employer Identification Number (Box 1a/1b). It also records the Total Premiums paid (Box 3) and the Fair Market Value (FMV) of the QLAC (Box 4).
The issuer must furnish a statement to the participant annually. For returns of premium payment, this must be paid no later than the end of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the employee dies.
Filing instructions require using the general guidelines for Certain Information Returns; if filing electronically (e-file), options are available at IRS.gov/InfoReturn.
First, complete the required identifying information for both the Issuer and Participant on the form. Next, fill in specific contract details like the Annuity Amount on Start Date (Box 1a) and Total Premiums (Box 3). Finally, ensure the appropriate boxes are checked and sign/date the form before sending it.
If an issuer files a copy of Form 1098-Q that cannot be scanned, a penalty may be imposed by the IRS.
Any person issuing a contract intended to be a QLAC must file this form. Confirm the contract was intended to be a QLAC upon issuance.
Source transparency
BrieflyGo links to and explains official public form sources. We are not a government agency, and this page is for general form guidance, not legal advice.
Review risky clauses in plain English, fix the document, and keep it moving toward signature.