Are Variable annuity pay outs taxable?

Oh boy, your gonna love this!

Clearly, the annuity company should really provide a statement showing what is and what isn't taxable.

Mud is much clearer, and some investment advisors claim annuities are terrible tax things.

Complex rules apply to the taxation of amounts received under certain annuity and life insurance contracts. Amounts received as an annuity are included in gross income to the extent that they exceed the exclusion ratio, which is determined by taking the original investment in the contract, deducting the value of any refund features, and dividing the result by the expected yield on the contract as of the annuity starting date. Different rules apply to amounts paid under a contract that are not received as an annuity. The annuity rules do not apply to tax-sheltered investment contracts, interest only settlements, and life insurance proceeds payable by reason of death. Special rules apply to many distributions from retirement plans, divorce settlements, required post-death payments under annuity contracts, annuity contracts not held by individuals, and options to receive annuity payments instead of a lump sum under a contract.