Question about Short-term disability.?

Question

Ok...I currently work full time and my company pays the premium for both my short term disability and my long term disability. I have been working with my doctor (as I'm pregnant) to figure out my maternity leave. I am qualified for FMLA leave of 12 weeks unpaid. I have enough vacation and sick leave to cover 16 days (I have a 15 day waiting time for the short term disability to kick in) I'm not due until Jan. 17, 2009. My question is would it be possible to take over payments of the premium so that the income I would receive under the disability wouldn't be taxed or would there be a restriction based off of a pre-existing condition? I've had the coverage for about 2 years and wouldn't be closing it or have a gap, I'd just be taking over the payments. Any idea if I do take over the payments if I would be able to claim the short term disability I guess the first of Feb. 2009 so that it wouldn't be taxable income?

Answer 1

One has to pay tax on  Disability income, even  when your employer has paid the premiums and the premiums have been excluded from your earnings. As a general rule, an employer generally excludes disability premiums from an employee's earnings. The exclusion is similar to the exclusion for health insurance and group life.

Answer 2

what is required to recieve short term disability ?