Withholding on pension inheritance

[clay1]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? TX

My father recently passed away, and the balance of his state pension(MA) was split between my sister and me. I received a check for the amount - %20 federal withholding.

The check is labeled 'refund payment'

Could someone please explain to me if and why this inheritance is taxable? If it isn't taxable how do I go about recovering the amount that was withheld. The total amount of the payment is less than 30,000.

Thank you

 

[LdiJ]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? TX

My father recently passed away, and the balance of his state pension(MA) was split between my sister and me. I received a check for the amount - %20 federal withholding.

The check is labeled 'refund payment'

Could someone please explain to me if and why this inheritance is taxable? If it isn't taxable how do I go about recovering the amount that was withheld. The total amount of the payment is less than 30,000.

Thank you

Anything that would have been taxable income to the deceased, is also taxable income to his heirs. Therefore, since the pension would have been taxable income to your father, its therefore taxable income to you as well.