Description: This paper examined two interrelated aspects of federal income taxation of life insurance companies. First, a common-sense approach to the Life Insurance Company Income Tax Act of 1959 was developed. Second, marginal tax rates for Phase III companies was developed.

Description: Section 818c of the Life Insurance Company Income Tax Act of 1959 provides, for companies holding other than net level premium reserves, a choice of two methods: exact revaluation or approximate revaluation to this basis. This paper discusses the impact of the choice on the level of a company's tax reserves. A discussion paper follows.