Who is liable for tax on a Canada Pension Plan death benefit?

• A. The recipient only
• B. The estate only
• C. The estate or the beneficiary
• D. The plan administrator

Answer: (C)

The tax outcome follows who actually receives the CPP death benefit. This one-time payment is made to the estate of the deceased, and how it’s taxed depends on whether the funds stay with the estate or are distributed to a beneficiary.

If the estate is the recipient, the death benefit becomes part of the estate’s income and is taxed as part of the estate, with the estate handling the taxes (often through the final or estate tax return). If the funds are ultimately distributed to a beneficiary, that beneficiary must report the amount on their own tax return, and it is taxed in the hands of that recipient. The plan administrator simply pays the benefit; they aren’t responsible for the taxes in either scenario.

Therefore, tax liability can lie with the estate or with the beneficiary, depending on who ends up receiving the money.