If a policyowner surrenders a policy for its cash value, when is a tax liability...

A tax liability is incurred upon surrender of a life insurance policy when the cash surrender value received exceeds the total premiums paid into the policy , excluding any amounts previously withdrawn tax-free. In life insurance taxation, the policyowner’s cost basis is generally the sum of premiums paid. If the amount received at surrender is greater than that basis, the excess is treated as taxable ordinary income . For that reason, A is correct.

Choice B is incorrect because if the cash value is less than the premiums paid, there is generally no taxable gain. Choice C is incorrect because an exchange of one life insurance policy for another policy of equal value may qualify as a 1035 exchange , which allows the transaction to occur without immediate taxation, provided it meets the tax code requirements. Choice D is not the best answer to this question because the issue asked is specifically about surrender for cash value, and the taxable event in that context depends on whether the policyowner receives more than the policy’s basis. On licensing exams, “cash value exceeds premiums paid” is the key rule.