In which scenario would employer-paid premiums for group life be taxable to the employee?

When employer-paid premiums for group life insurance exceed $50,000, the premiums for that excess coverage become taxable to the employee. This is in accordance with IRS regulations that classify the cost of coverage beyond the $50,000 threshold as taxable income. The first $50,000 of coverage is considered a non-taxable fringe benefit, but any amount beyond that is subject to taxation.

In this context, the rationale behind the taxation is based on the principle that employee benefits above a certain threshold provide a significant economic advantage, which is why they are included in the employee's taxable income. Therefore, if the employer provides coverage that goes beyond this limit, the IRS requires that the additional cost be reported as taxable.