How do I report this 1099-DIV from my mutual fund?
Enter the ordinary dividends from Form 1099-DIV, box 9, on line 5 of Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. Enter the total capital gain distributions from box 2a on line 13, column (f) of Form 1040, SCHEDULE D. Enter the 28% rate gain portion of your capital gain distributions from box 2b on line 13, column (g) of Schedule D. If you have an amount in box 2c or box 2d, refer to Form 1040, Schedule D Instructions. Nontaxable distributions, box 3, that are return of capital distributions, reduce your cost basis and are not taxable until your basis is reduced to zero. If no amount is shown in boxes 2b through 2d, and your only capital gains and losses are capital gain distributions, refer to Form 1040 Instructions for line 13.
References:
Do I have to pay tax on reinvested dividends?
Dividend reinvestment plans let you choose to use your dividends to buy (through an agent) more shares of stock in the corporation instead of receiving the dividends in cash. If you are a member of this type of plan and use your dividends to buy more stock at a price equal to its fair market value, you must report the dividends as income.
If you are a member of a dividend reinvestment plan that lets you buy more stock at a price less than its fair market value, you must report as income the fair market value of the additional stock on the dividend payment date.
Other rules may apply. For additional information, refer to Chapter 9 of Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax, and Tax Topic 404, Dividends.
References:
I received dividends from my credit union. How do I report this income?
Certain distributions commonly referred to as dividends are actually interest. They include "dividends" on deposits or share accounts in cooperative banks, credit unions, domestic savings and loan associations, and mutual savings banks.
Report interest income on line 8a of Form 1040 or Form 1040A, or line 2 of Form 1040EZ. If your taxable interest income is more than $400, be sure to show that income on Schedule B of Form 1040, or on Schedule 1 of Form 1040A. You cannot file Form 1040EZ if your interest income is more than $400. Refer to Tax Topic 403, Interest Received, for additional information on interest income.
References:
- Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return
- Form 1040A, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return
- Form 1040EZ, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return for Single and Joint Filers with No Dependents
- Tax Topic 403, Interest Received
My employer pays me a salary plus a housing allowance. Is the housing allowance income? Where do I report it?
A minister's housing allowance, sometimes called a parsonage allowance or a rental allowance, is excludable from income for income tax purposes, but not for self-employment tax.
If you receive in your pay an amount officially designated as a rental allowance, you can exclude the allowance from income if:
- the amount is used to provide or rent a home, and
- the amount is not more than reasonable pay for your services.
If housing is furnished to you by your congregation as pay for your services, the exclusion cannot be more than what is reasonable pay for your services.
If you own your home and you receive a housing allowance as part of your pay, the exclusion cannot be more than the smaller of the following:
- the amount actually used to provide a home,
- the amount officially designated as a rental or housing allowance, or
- the fair rental value of the home, including furnishings, utilities, garage, etc.
References:
- Publication 517, Social Security and Other Information for the Members of the Clergy and Religious Workers
- Tax Topic 417, Earnings for clergy
Are housing allowances taxable to ministers?
A housing allowance paid to you as part of your salary is not income to the extent you use it, in the year received, to provide a home or to pay utilities for a home with which you are provided. The amount of the housing allowance that you can exclude from your income cannot be more than the reasonable compensation for your services as a minister. The church or organization that employs you must officially designate the payment as a housing allowance before the payment is made. A definite amount must be designated; the amount of the housing allowance cannot be determined at a later date. Other provisions may apply. While not subject to income tax, the housing allowance may be subject to self-employment tax. For additional information on housing allowances, refer to Chapter 6 of Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax or Publication 517, Social Security and Other Information for the Members of the Clergy and Religious Workers. For information on earnings for clergy, refer to Tax Topic 417.
References:
For a minister, is the housing allowance included in box 1 with wages?
No. The church would enter the amount of any parsonage allowance and any utilities allowance in Box 14 of Form W-2. If the housing allowance exceeds the minister's qualified expenses, the minister would add the excess to the wage amount and enter the sum on line 7 of Form 1040.
References:
As a minister, what do I do if my household expenses are greater than my housing allowance?
Usually, the total of household expenses is only used as a limit to the amount of excludable parsonage allowance (for an ordained, commissioned, or licensed minister). A parsonage allowance or the fair rental value of a parsonage provided as pay for a minister's services is excluded from income for income tax purposes only, not for the computation of self-employment tax.
While the excess cannot be claimed, it is helpful to prepare a worksheet like the one labeled "Attachment 1," shown as part of the comprehensive example at the end of Publication 517, Social Security and Other Information for the Members of the Clergy and Religious Workers. This worksheet, when completed, reflects the amount of income you've received, your qualified expenses, and your tax-free (excluded) income. If your expenses exceeded the amount of your parsonage allowance, your allowance will be fully excludable for income tax purposes.
References:
- Publication 517, Social Security and Other Information for the Members of the Clergy and Religious Workers
- Tax Topic 417, Earnings for clergy
As a minister, what do I do if my household expenses are less than my housing allowance?
To the extent that your household expenses are less than your parsonage allowance, your allowance is taxable income for income tax purposes.
If you receive in your pay an amount officially designated as a rental allowance, you can exclude the allowance if:
- the amount is used to provide or rent a home, and
- the amount is not more than reasonable pay for your services.
If housing is furnished to you by your congregation as pay for your services, the exclusion cannot be more than what is reasonable pay for your services.
If you own your home and you receive a housing allowance as part of your pay, the exclusion cannot be more than the smaller of the following:
- the amount actually used to provide a home,
- the amount officially designated as a rental or housing allowance, or
- the fair rental value of the home, including furnishings, utilities, garage, etc.
The amount of the allowance that cannot be excluded should be entered with your wages on line 7 of Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.
References:
- Publication 517, Social Security and Other Information for the Members of the Clergy and Religious Workers
- Tax Topic 417, Earnings for clergy
Are all ministers treated as self-employed for social security purposes?
Services that a minister performs in the exercise of his or her ministry are covered under the Self-Employment Contributions Act (SECA). That means they are exempt from social security and Medicare withholding, but would be responsible for paying self-employment tax on their earnings as an employee and on their net earnings from self-employment.
There are some members of religious orders, ministers, and Christian Science practitioners who have requested and been granted exemption from self-employment tax. There are also members of religious orders who have taken a vow of poverty and ministers who are covered solely by the social security laws of another country under a social security agreement between the United States and that other country.
References:
- Publication 517, Social Security and Other Information for the Members of the Clergy and Religious Workers
- Tax Topic 417, Earnings for clergy
I am a licensed minister. What are the procedures to follow to file for Social Security Exempt Status?
The procedures to request an exemption from self-employment tax are listed in Publication 517, Social Security and Other Information for the Members of the Clergy and Religious Workers.
References:
- Publication 517, Social Security and Other Information for the Members of the Clergy and Religious Workers
- Form 4361, Application for Exemption from Self-Employment Tax for Use by Ministers, Members of Religious Orders, and Christian Science Practitioners
- Tax Topic 417, Earnings for clergy
As a minister, I previously elected, and was approved for, an exemption from social security coverage. Can I revoke this election?
If you are a minister, a member of a religious order not under a vow of poverty, or a Christian Science practitioner who previously elected exemption from social security coverage that was effective for tax year 1999, you now have a limited period of time to revoke that exemption. You must file Form 2031 by April 15, 2002, or by the extended due date if you get an extension of time to file your 2001 return. Once you revoke the exemption, you can never again elect exemption from social security coverage.
References:
- Form 2031, Revocations of Exemption from Self-Employment Tax for Use by Ministers, Members of Religious Orders, and Christian Science Practitioners
- Publication 517, Social Security and Other Information for the Members of the Clergy and Religious Workers
I cashed some Series E, Series EE and Series I savings bond in, how do I report the interest?
If your total taxable interest for the year is more than $400, you report (and separately identify) the interest on Schedule B of Form 1040 or Schedule 1 of Form 1040A. If your total interest is not more than $400 for the year, report the savings bond interest with your other interest on the "Interest" line of your tax return.
References:
How do I determine how much interest to report on U.S. savings bonds I inherited?
You may have choices, but it will depend on several factors. Before your question can be answered, you'll need to know:
- the date of death,
- the type of bond you inherited (Series EE, Series E, Series I, or Series HH, or Series H),
- whether the deceased was reporting the interest yearly or not, and
- whether any of the interest was included on the decedent's final income tax return.
Once you have these facts, you can find your answer and any options that may be available by reading the appropriate section of Publication 550, or call 800-829-1040.
References:
Is deferred interest on a U.S. savings bond (series EE, E, or I) that I inherited taxable to the deceased owner's estate, to the deceased on his or her final tax return, or to me when I cash them?
The deferred interest is not taxable to the estate. It is going to either be reported on the final return of the decedent or be reported by you, depending on the choice you make.
You may have choices, but it will depend on several factors. Before your question can be answered, you'll need to know:
- the date of death,
- the type of bond you inherited (Series EE, Series E, Series I, or Series HH, or Series H),
- whether the deceased was reporting the interest yearly or not, and
- whether any of the interest was included on the decedent's final income tax return.
Once you have these facts, you can find your answer and any options that may be available by reading the appropriate section of Publication 550, or call 800-829-1040.
References:
Can interest from some inherited U.S. savings bonds be claimed on the decedent's final return and interest from other inherited U.S. savings bonds be included as interest to the beneficiary?
Yes, this can occur in a couple of different ways and it can occur as the result of a choice made by the decedent's personal representative.
You may have choices, but it will depend on several factors. Before your question can be answered, you'll need to know:
- the date of death,
- the type of bond you inherited (Series EE, Series E, Series I, or Series HH, or Series H),
- whether the deceased was reporting the interest yearly or not, and
- whether any of the interest was included on the decedent's final income tax return.
Once you have these facts, you can find your answer and any options that may be available by reading the appropriate section of Publication 550, or call 800-829-1040.
References:
My Form W-2 includes allocated tips. What are they and how are they taxed?
Certain employers must allocate tips if the percentage of tips reported by employees falls below a required minimum percentage of gross sales. To "allocate tips" means to assign an additional amount as tips to each employee whose reported tips are below the required percentage. For additional information on how the rules for tip allocation work, refer to Chapter 7 of Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax. All tips you receive are taxable. If you do not have adequate records for your actual tips, you must include the allocated tips shown on your Form W-2 as additional tip income on your return. You must also complete and attach Form 4137, Social Security and Medicare Tax on Unreported Tips. For more information on the requirements, refer to Tip Allocation in Publication 531, Reporting Tip Income. Refer to Tax Topic 402, Tips, for other important information.
References:
My employer included allocated tips on my W-2 in box 1. The allocated tips included were higher than I actually received. Do I have to pay taxes on money I never received?
Allocated tips are reported in box 8 of Form W-2 and should not be included in the amount in box 1. If they have been include in box 1, you need to get a corrected Form W-2 from your employer.
By including the tip amount in box 1, the employer has indicated that this is the tip amount you reported monthly and that social security tax and Medicare taxes have been withheld (unless an amount indicating otherwise appears in box 13). Your copies of your monthly tip reports and your daily tip log will enable you to document that you reported a different tip amount if the W-2 income continues to be disputed. If you do not receive a corrected W-2, enter the amount of wages and tips you believe to be correct on line 7 of Form 1040. Keep your tip records so that you can later support the amount you reported.
You normally must report allocated tips (box 8, Form W-2) as income on line 7 of your Form 1040 unless you have a daily tip record documenting that you actually received less tips than the amount allocated to you. If you have adequate documentation of your actual tip amount, include only the amount of tips that were not reported to your employer. This additional amount of tip income, whether it is allocated tips or unreported tips, has not had social security or Medicare taxes paid on it and should also be entered on Form 4137, Social Security and Medicare Tax on Unreported Tips. Enter the tax from Form 4137 on line 52 of Form 1040 and attach Form 4137 to your return.
References:
Is it legal for my employer to require me to report 10% of my total sales as tips rather than reporting my actual tips?
No. When report the actual tips you have received in the form of cash, check, or charge, in a signed and dated report, you are complying with your legal requirement. Your employer cannot legally ask you to otherwise.
References:
Of my allocated tips, I tip out 15% to the busboy and 5% to the bar. Where do I deduct this on my tax return?
You cannot deduct tip-outs (the tips you split with other employees) on your tax return. Nor can you deduct them from your allocated tips. The practice of tipping-out is one of the reasons you should keep a detailed daily log of your tips. If you document that you tip out, and you reported all your tips to your employer, then you do not include in your income the allocated tips in box 8 of Form W-2.
Tipping-out, by itself, should not cause an allocated tip situation. First, when you report the cash tips you receive, you should report the total tips, then the amount tipped out. Publication 1244, Employee's Daily Record of Tips and Report to Employer, includes Forms 4070 and 4070A, Employee's Report of Tips to Employer that provides the following lines:
- Cash tips received, line 1
- Credit card tips received, line 2
- Tips paid out, line 3
- Net tips (lines 1 + 2 - 3), line 4
The detail of the information provided should enable your employer to develop a reasonable, fair, and accurate method for determining whether tips need to be allocated, and, if so, how much. Employers are only required to allocate tips if the total tips reported by all the employees who customarily receive tips are less than 8% of gross sales. Thus, when there is a tip-splitting arrangement, it is important that all tips, including those received through tip-splitting, be reported to the employer by each employee who receives $20 or more in a month.
For more information, refer to Publication 531, Reporting Tip Income.
References:
If the reported tips from employees are more than 8% of sales, must an employer still allocate tips to the employees?
No. Employers who operate "large food or beverage establishments" must allocate tips among the employees who receive tips only if the reported tips are less than 8% of the gross receipts from sales for that establishment for a given period. Employers can also petition for a lower rate.
References:
Can the 8%, normally used for allocated tips, be a matter agreed upon as reported tips between the employer and employees, so that the employees do not have to report the exact amount of their tips?
No. The law requires that the employee who receives tips must report the actual tip amount to his or her employer if the amount is $20 or more for that calendar month. The 8% figure is not a simplified reporting method. If an employee is customarily tipped between 10% and 20%, reporting only 8% of his or her sales would not only lead to underreporting of income, but also an underpayment of your of social security and Medicare taxes.
The employee should keep a tip record of his or her daily tips. A daily tip record can relieve the employee from having to include allocated tips in his or her income by documenting that the amount of tips the employee reported were the actual amount received.
For more information on tip reporting for employees, refer to Chapter 7 of Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax (For Individuals), or Publication 531, Reporting Tip Income.
References:
How do I report interest received on an installment sale?
If you receive interest on an installment sale, report the entire amount on Form 1040, SCHEDULE B. For additional information on installment sales, refer to Tax Topic 705, or Publication 537, Installment Sales.
References:
My son is a newspaper carrier. I would like to know if this income is social security taxable and if I must file a Schedule C for him?
Persons engaged in the trade or business of delivering or distributing newspapers or shopping news (including any services directly related to such delivery or distribution) are considered by statute as nonemployees and are treated as self-employed for all Federal tax purposes, including income and employment taxes. Thus, your son would file as an independent contractor.
Independent contractors report their income on Form 1040, SCHEDULE C, Profit or Loss from Business (Sole Proprietorship), or you may qualify to use Form 1040, SCHEDULE C-EZ, Net Profit from Business. You should also be aware of Form 1040, SCHEDULE SE, Self-Employment Tax, which must be filed if net earnings from self-employment are $400 or more. This form is used to figure your social security and Medicare tax which is based on your self-employment income.
References:
- Form 1040, SCHEDULE C, Profit or Loss from Business (Sole Proprietorship)
- Form 1040, SCHEDULE C-EZ, Net Profit from Business
- Form 1040, Schedule C Instructions
- Form 1040, SCHEDULE SE, Self-Employment Tax
- Form 1040, Schedule SE Instructions
- Publication 533, Self-employment Tax
- Publication 334, Tax Guide for Small Business
- Tax Topic 554, Self-employment Tax
- Tax information for Business
What is the difference between a Form W-2 and a Form 1099-MISC?
Both of these forms are called information returns. The Form W-2 is used by employers to report wages, tips and other compensation paid to an employee. The form also reports the employee's income tax and Social Security taxes withheld and any advanced earned income credit payments. The Form W-2 is provided by the employer to the employee and the Social Security Administration. A Form 1099-MISC is used by a person or business to report payments made to another person or business who is not an employee. The form is required when payments of $10 or more in gross royalties or $600 or more in rents or services are paid. The form is provided by the payor to the IRS and the person or business that received the payment.
References:
How do you determine if a person is an employee or an independent contractor?
The determination is complex, but is essentially made by examining the right to control how, when, and where you perform services. It is not based on how you are paid, how often you are paid, nor whether you work part-time or full-time. There is no statutory definition of what an employee is, but from common law three basic areas have been identified:
- behavioral control,
- financial control, and
- type of relationship.
For more information on employer-employee relationships, refer to Chapter 2 of Publication 15-A, Employer's Supplemental Tax Guide. If you would like the IRS to issue a determination ruling, you may submit Form SS-8, Determination of Employee Work Status for Purposes of Federal Employment Taxes and Income Tax Withholding.
Unless you have requested a ruling by filing Form SS-8, you generally have to report your nonemployee compensation on Form 1040, SCHEDULE C, Profit or Loss from Business (Sole Proprietorship), or Form 1040, SCHEDULE C-EZ, Net Profit from Business. You also need to complete Form 1040, SCHEDULE SE, Self-Employment Tax, and pay self-employment tax on your net earnings from self-employment, if you had net earnings from self-employment of $400 or more. This is the manner by which self-employed persons pay into the social security and Medicare trust funds. Employees pay these payroll taxes, as well as income tax withholding, through deductions from their paychecks. Generally, there are no tax withholdings on this income. Thus, you may have been subject to the requirement to make quarterly estimated tax payments. If you did not make estimated tax payments and your withholding for the year is more than $1,000 less than your tax liability, you may be charged an underpayment of estimated tax penalty.
References:
I received a Form 1099-MISC with an amount in BOX 7, nonemployee compensation. What forms and schedules should be used to report income earned as an independent contractor?
Independent contractors report their income on Form 1040, SCHEDULE C, Profit or Loss from Business (Sole Proprietorship), or you may qualify to use Form 1040, SCHEDULE C-EZ, Net Profit from Business. You should also be aware of Form 1040, SCHEDULE SE, Self-Employment Tax, which must be filed if net earnings from self-employment are $400 or more. This form is used to figure your social security and Medicare tax which is based on your self-employment income.
References:
- Form 1040, SCHEDULE C, Profit or Loss from Business (Sole Proprietorship)
- Form 1040, SCHEDULE C-EZ, Net Profit from Business
- Form 1040, Schedule C Instructions
- Form 1040, SCHEDULE SE, Self-Employment Tax
- Form 1040, Schedule SE Instructions
- Publication 533, Self-employment Tax
- Publication 334, Tax Guide for Small Business
- Tax Topic 554, Self-employment Tax
- Tax information for Business
If I am an independent contractor, am I considered self-employed?
Generally, an independent contractor is considered self-employed. Refer to Chapter 5, Business Income, of Publication 334, Tax Guide for Small Business, for a definition and examples of income from self-employment. Refer to Chapter 2, Employee or Independent Contractor?, of Publication 15-A, Employer's Supplemental Tax Guide, for more information on independent contractors.
References:
I work as an independent contractor, but I do not own a business and do not perform services in the name of a business. Can I file my tax return without filing Schedule C or Schedule SE?
The income you earn as an independent contractor generally will be considered income from self-employment and you will need to file Form 1040, SCHEDULE C, Profit or Loss from Business (Sole Proprietorship), or you may qualify to use Form 1040, SCHEDULE C-EZ, Net Profit from Business. You will also need to use Form 1040, SCHEDULE SE, Self-Employment Tax, if you had net earnings from self-employment of $400 or more.
References:
What, if any, quarterly forms must I file to report income as an independent contractor?
There are no quarterly income reporting requirements for Federal income tax purposes. However, because you will have no withholding taken from your income, you may need to make quarterly estimated tax payments. You use Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals.
You need to be aware that there may be state and local quarterly reporting requirements. You can start looking for information at How to Contact Us. You may want to go to your state's individual Web site for additional information. To access the state you need to direct your question to, please go to our Alphabetical State Index.
References:
I made several thousand dollars moonlighting as an independent contractor. What taxes do I need to pay?
You are responsible for Federal income tax and self-employment taxes on your income as an independent contractor. Self-employment taxes are your contributions to social security and Medicare. Your self-employment income and expenses will be reported on Form 1040, SCHEDULE C, Profit or Loss from Business, or you may qualify to use Form 1040, SCHEDULE C-EZ, Net Profit from Business. You will also need to use Form 1040, SCHEDULE SE, Self-Employment Tax, to compute and report your social security and Medicare tax, if you had net earnings from self-employment of $400 or more. Since there is no withholding on your self-employment income, you may need to make quarterly estimated tax payments. This is done using a Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals.
References:
- Form 1040, SCHEDULE C, Profit or Loss from Business
- Form 1040, SCHEDULE C-EZ, Net Profit from Business
- Form 1040, Schedule C Instructions
- Publication 334, Tax Guide for Small Business
- Form 1040, SCHEDULE SE, Self-Employment Tax
- Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals
- Tax Topic 355, Estimated Tax
- Tax Information for Business
I received a Form 1099-MISC from a company that paid all employees this way. Will my income go on line 21 of Form 1040 as Other Income or on Schedule C?
Since your income was reported to you on a Form 1099-MISC, the company has treated you as an independent contractor and your income is treated as self-employment income. You will need to report that income, and any related expenses, on Form 1040, SCHEDULE C, Profit or Loss from Business, or you may qualify to use Form 1040, SCHEDULE C-EZ, Net Profit from Business. You will also need to use Form 1040, SCHEDULE SE, Self-Employment Tax, to compute and report your social security and Medicare tax, if you had net earnings from self-employment of $400 or more. You may also need to make quarterly estimated tax payments. You would use Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals, for this.
References:
- Form 1040, SCHEDULE C, Profit or Loss from Business
- Form 1040, SCHEDULE C-EZ, Net Profit from Business
- Form 1040, Schedule C Instructions
- Form 1040, SCHEDULE SE, Self-Employment Tax
- Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals
- Publication 334, Tax Guide for Small Business
- Tax Information for Business
- Tax Topic 355, Estimated Tax
I received a Form 1099-MISC instead of a Form W-2. I'm not self-employed, I do not have a business. How do I report this income?
If payment for services you provided is listed in box 7 of Form 1099-MISC, you are being treated as a self-employed worker, also referred to as an independent contractor. You do not necessarily have to "have a business," but simply perform services as a nonemployee to have your compensation treated this way. The payer has determined that an employer-employee relationship does not exist in your case. That determination is complex, but is essentially made by examining the right to control how, when, and where you perform those services. It is not based on how you are paid, how often you are paid, nor whether you work part-time or full-time. There is no statutory definition of what an employee is, but from common law three basic areas have been identified:
- behavioral control,
- financial control, and
- type of relationship.
For more information on employer-employee relationships, refer to Chapter 2 of Publication 15-A, Employer's Supplemental Tax Guide. If you think that you were, or are, actually an employee and you would like the IRS to issue a determination ruling, you may submit Form SS-8, Determination of Employee Work Status for Purposes of Federal Employment Taxes and Income Tax Withholding.
Unless you have requested a ruling by filing Form SS-8, you generally have to report your nonemployee compensation on Form 1040, SCHEDULE C, Profit or Loss from Business (Sole Proprietorship), or Form 1040, SCHEDULE C-EZ, Net Profit from Business. You also need to complete Form 1040, SCHEDULE SE, Self-Employment Tax, and pay self-employment tax on your net earnings from self-employment, if you had net earnings from self-employment of $400 or more. This is the manner by which self-employed persons pay into the social security and Medicare trust funds. Employees pay these payroll taxes, as well as income tax withholding, through deductions from their paychecks. Generally, there are no tax withholdings on this income. Thus, you may have been subject to the requirement to make quarterly estimated tax payments. If you did not make estimated tax payments and your withholding for the year is more than $1,000 less than your tax liability, you may be charged an underpayment of estimated tax penalty.
References:
I thought I was an employee and thought my employer was withholding tax from my pay. My former employer sent me a Form 1099-MISC and didn't withhold any taxes. Is there a procedure to have the situation reviewed and possibly make the former employer pay the taxes due? What can I do?
You can ask the IRS to make a determination as to whether an employer-employee relationship exists by filing Form SS-8, Determination of Employee Work Status for Purposes of Federal Employment Taxes and Income Tax Withholding. If the IRS finds that an employer incorrectly treated an employee as a nonemployee, the employer will be liable for the social security and Medicare tax withholding that he or she failed to withhold and pay. (There are some exceptions to this noted in Publication 15-A, Employer's Supplemental Tax Guide.)
Holding the employer liable for the tax that was not withheld does not relieve you from the liability for your share of social security and Medicare taxes. To pay your portion, attach Form 4137, Social Security and Medicare Tax on Unreported Tip Income, to your individual income tax return and report the employee share of social security and Medicare on page 2 of Form 1040. Cross out the word "Tip" and insert the word "Wages" at the top of the Form 4137 and also at the top of Schedule U, U.S. Schedule of Unreported Tip Income, which is attached to the bottom of Form 4137. Also notate on the form that a Form SS-8 has been filed.
References:
- Publication 15, Circular E, Employer's Tax Guide
- Publication 15-A, Employer's Supplemental Tax Guide
- Form 4137, Social Security and Medicare Tax on Unreported Tip Income
- Form SS-8, Determination of Employee Work Status for Purposes of Federal Employment Taxes and Income Tax Withholding
- Tax Topic 762, Independent contractor vs. employee
The instructions for Form 1099-MISC, Box 7, say if you are not self-employed, call the IRS for information about how to report any social security and Medicare taxes. I need to know how do I report social security and Medicare taxes if I received income on a Form 1099-MISC, but was not self-employed?
You need to use Form 4137, Social Security and Medicare Tax on Unreported Tip Income. Cross out the word "Tip" and insert the word "Wages" at the top of the form and also at the top of Schedule U, which is attached to the bottom of the form. Follow the instructions on Form 4137 to compute your share of your social security and Medicare taxes. Attach Form 4137 to your Form 1040.
You may want to file Form SS-8, Determination of Employee Work Status for Purposes of Federal Employment Taxes and Income Tax Withholding. This form requests the IRS to make an official determination of whether or not you were an employee. To make this determination, the IRS will need information from you and your employer.
References:
- Form 4137, Social Security and Medicare Tax on Unreported Tip Income
- Form SS-8, Determination of Employee Work Status for Purposes of Federal Employment Taxes and Income Tax Withholding
I received a Form 1099-MISC for an employee bonus. How do I report it?
Employee bonuses should be reported on Form W-2, not on Form 1099-MISC. Contact your employer and ask them to issue the correct form. If they will not issue you a Form W-2 for the bonus, complete Form 4852, Substitute for Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement. The bonus amount is reported on Line 7 on your Form 1040 or 1040A.
References:
I am self-employed. How do I report my income and how do I pay Medicare and social security taxes?
You are a sole proprietor if you are the sole owner of a business that is not a corporation. Report your income and expenses from your sole proprietorship on Form 1040, SCHEDULE C, Profit or Loss from Business (Sole Proprietorship), or on Form 1040, SCHEDULE C-EZ, Net Profit from Business.
If the total of your net profit from all businesses is $400 or more, you must pay into the Social Security System by filing Form 1040, SCHEDULE SE, Self-Employment Tax. For more information on this, refer to Publication 533, Self-Employment Tax.
The federal tax system is based on a pay-as-you-go plan. Tax is generally withheld from your wages or salary before you get it. However, tax is generally not withheld from self-employment income. Thus, you may be required to pay estimated tax. Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax, provides information on making estimated tax payments.
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I received a Form 1099-G, for my state tax refund. Do I have to include this amount as income on my return?
If you itemized deductions on your federal tax return for 1999, and received a refund of state or local taxes in 2000, you may have to include all or part of the refund as income on your 2000 tax return.
If you did not itemize your deductions on your federal tax return for the same year as the state or local tax refund applies to, do not report any of the refund as income. Refer to Tax Topic 405, Refund of State and Local Taxes, and Publication 525, Taxable and Nontaxable Income, for further information.
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How do I report income received as a prize or award?
If you win a prize in a lucky number drawing, television or radio quiz program, beauty contest, or other event, you must include it in your income. For example, if you win a $50 prize in a photography contest, you must report this income on line 21 (other income), Form 1040. If you receive merchandise, you must report the fair market value of the item(s) as income. Refer to Chapter 13 of Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax, for additional information.
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I won $250 in a charity raffle. Where do I show this on my return?
Gambling winnings are fully taxable and must be reported on your tax return. You must file Form 1040 and include all your winnings on line 21 (other income). For information on deducting gambling losses, refer to Tax Topic 419, Gambling Income and Expenses.
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My house was foreclosed on and the lender has sent me a Form 1099. What do I do? Must I report this?
You may have received either a Form 1099-A or Form 1099-C, or both. You must compute whether you have discharge of indebtedness income. You have discharge of indebtedness income if the debt discharged is debt for which you are personally liable and it exceeds the fair market value of the property at the time of the transfer. Discharge of indebtedness income is taxable as other income on line 21 (other income) of Form 1040.
You may be able to exclude discharge of indebtedness income if you have filed bankruptcy; are insolvent; or have a qualified farm debt. Refer to Publication 908, Bankruptcy Tax Guide, and Form 982, Reduction of Tax Attributes Due to Discharge of Indebtedness for more information.
You may also have to compute gain or loss on disposition of the property. You must still follow this step even if you have no discharge of indebtedness income. The difference between the amount realized less any reportable discharge of indebtedness income and your adjusted basis is your gain or loss. The amount realized includes any non-recourse indebtedness from which you are relieved in the transaction. If the property is business property, report it on Form 4797, Sales of Business Property, and follow the normal rules. If the property is a personal home, report it on Form 1040, SCHEDULE D if you have taxable gain following the normal rules for sale of a main home. Refer to Publication 523, Selling Your Home, and Publication 544, Sales and Other Dispositions of Assets, for more information.
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- Publication 523, Selling Your Home
- Publication 537, Installment Sales
- Publication 544, Sales and Other Dispositions of Assets
- Publication 908, Bankruptcy Tax Guide
- Form 982, Reduction of Tax Attributes Due to Discharge of Indebtedness
- Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return
- Form 1040, SCHEDULE D, Capital Gains and Losses
- Form 1099-A, Acquisition or Abandonment of Secured Property
- Form 1099-C, Cancellation of Debt
- Form 4797, Sales of Business Property
Are alimony payments considered taxable income?
Alimony, separate maintenance, and similar payments from your spouse or former spouse are taxable to you in the year received. The amount is reported on line 11 of Form 1040. You cannot use Form 1040A or Form 1040EZ. Refer to Tax Topic 406, Alimony Received, or Publication 504, Divorced or Separated Individuals.
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Are child support payments considered taxable income?
No. Some types of income taxpayers receive are not taxable and child support is one of them. When you total your gross income to see if you are required to file a tax return, do not include your nontaxable income. For additional information, refer to Tax Topic 422, Nontaxable Income, or Publication 525, Taxable and Nontaxable Income.
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I received damages for emotional distress suffered as a result of employment discrimination. Is the money I received taxable?
Emotional distress is not considered a physical injury or sickness; therefore, damages for emotional distress are includible in income except to the extent they are paid for medical care attributable to emotional distress.
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Because of my age, my employer wanted to terminate my employment. I signed a statement not to sue and received a lump-sum payment from my employer for age discrimination. Is this payment taxable?
A lump-sum payment for cancellation of your employment is taxable income in the year you receive it and must be reported with your other salary and wages. This is true even if the payment was received (by suit or agreement) as settlement under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.
Refer to Publication 525, Taxable and Nontaxable Income, for more details.
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- Publication 525, Taxable and Nontaxable Income
- Tax Topic 422, Nontaxable Income
- Revenue Ruling 96-65 and Commissioner v. Schleier, 115 US 2159 (1995)
Is the money received from my settlement taxable?
For court awards and damages, to determine if settlement amounts you receive by compromise or judgment must be included in your income, you must consider the item which the settlement replaces. Include the following as ordinary income:
- Interest on any award.
- Compensation for lost wages or lost profits in most cases.
- Punitive damages. (But see below)
- Amounts received in settlement of pension rights (if you did not contribute to the plan).
- Damages for: (A) Patent or copyright infringement. (B) Breach of contract. (C) Interference with business operations.
- Any recovery under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.
- Damages to your character.
- Alienation of affection.
Do not include in your income compensatory damages for personal physical injury or physical sickness (whether received in a lump sum or installments).
Damages for emotional distress due to a physical injury or sickness are not taxable.
For additional information, refer to Publication 525, Taxable and Nontaxable Income, or Tax Topic 422, Nontaxable Income.
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Is tuition reimbursement for school a form of taxable income or not?
If you receive educational assistance benefits from your employer under an educational assistance program, you can exclude from taxable income up to $5,250 of those benefits each year.
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My employer is including my graduate school tuition reimbursements on my Form W-2. Where do I claim education expenses on my Form 1040?
They are miscellaneous itemized deductions on Form 1040, SCHEDULE A, Itemized Deductions.
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On my Form W-2, why would line 1, wages, tips, other compensation, be different from line 3, social security wages, and line 5, medicare wages and tips?
When the amount in box 1 is less than the amount in boxes 3 and 5, you have received some employee compensation that is not subject to federal income tax but is subject to social security and Medicare taxes. The most common example of this is deferred compensation, e.g. contributions to a 401(k) plan. Another example is an employee benefit plan that provides for the contribution of pretax dollars (e.g. cafeteria plan, flexible spending arrangement, dependent care plan, etc.).
When the amount in box 1 is more than the amount in boxes 3 and 5, you have received some employee compensation that is not defined as wages for the purpose of social security and Medicare taxes. An example of this would be when a child works for his or her parent in the parent's trade or business and is under age 18.
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Is my employer supposed to include mileage reimbursement as a part of my gross income on my Form W-2, and do I include it on my return as wages, tips & salaries?
That depends on whether you were reimbursed under an accountable plan or under a nonaccountable plan. Generally, an employer will have an accountable plan if it pays business expenses that would otherwise be deductible by the employee, requires the employee to substantiate the expense, and does not permit the employee to keep any reimbursements that exceed expenses. If the employer does not use an accountable plan, mileage reimbursement would be included in your wages on Form W-2. For more information on reimbursements and accountable plans, refer to Chapter 6 of Publication 463, Travel, Entertainment, Gift, and Car Expenses.
If your mileage reimbursement is included in box 1 on Form W-2, you need to enter that amount on the "wages, salaries, and tips" line of your tax return. If you itemize your deductions on Form 1040, SCHEDULE A, Itemized Deductions, you may deduct the business transportation expense as an employee business expense, subject to the 2% of adjusted gross income limitation. You may usually deduct either your actual business automobile expenses or use the standard mileage rate. For more information on when you may use the standard mileage rate, refer to Chapter 4 of Publication 463, Travel, Entertainment, Gift, and Car Expenses.
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Is there any amount of wages too low to report on my tax return?
There is no wage amount too low that you wouldn't include in gross income on your tax return. If your total income were below a filing requirement, however, you would not have to report your wages on a tax return. However, you may wish to file to claim a refund of withheld taxes. For information on filing requirements, please refer to the instructions to your income tax form.
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What box on the Form W-2 do I use to determine my income to go on my tax return? What are all of these other boxes for? Does the amount from any other box go anywhere on my tax return?
For most people, only the amount in box 1 (wages, tips, other compensation) needs to be reported as income on your tax return. If you are an employee who receives tips, you may have to include the amount from box 8 (allocated tips) as income on your return.
Any employer-provided dependent care benefits listed in box 10 that are not excludable from income must be reported on line 7 of the Form 1040. Any credit taken for child and dependent care expenses must be reported on line 41 of the Form 1040. Refer to Form 2441, Child and Dependent Care Expenses, to determine the amount, if any, of the exclusion or credit.
Employer-provided adoption benefits that must be included on line 22 of Form 8839, Qualified Adoption Expenses, appear in box 13 with a code T. Employer contributions to a medical savings account (MSA), which you report on line 3b of Form 8853, Medical Savings Accounts and Long-Term Care Insurance Contracts, also appear in box 13 with a code R. Employer-provided benefits may be taxable as compensation under certain conditions. Refer to the relevant form instructions.
If you received advanced earned income payments from your employer (box 9), you must include the amount on your individual income tax return Form 1040 or 1040A.
The other boxes either display information that the employer wanted to provide to you, or contain information that must be reported to the Social Security Administration or to the IRS.
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What is meant by "dependent care benefits" (Box 10 of Form W-2)?
Dependent care benefits are amounts your employer paid directly to either you or your care provider for the care of your qualifying person(s) while you worked. They also include the fair market value of care in a day-care facility provided or sponsored by your employer. Dependent care benefits include amounts placed into a flexible spending account under a salary reduction arrangement if the benefit provided was day care.
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Should Line 10, Dependent Care Benefits, of my Form W-2 be included when calculating my income?
A portion of all of the amount in Box 10 of the Form W-2 may be includable in your income. Please refer to the Instructions for Form 2441, Child and Dependent Care Expenses, to determine how much, if any, of the dependent care benefits may be excluded. If you meet the requirements described in Form 2441, Child and Dependent Care Expenses, you can exclude up to $5,000 of dependent care benefits provided under a qualified employer plan. However, this amount is reduced if your earned income (or your spouse's earned income) is less than $5,000, or if your child is not under age 13. Any benefits that exceed the exclusion limit ($5,000) are also includable in your income, and your employer should have included these amounts in Boxes 1, 3, and 5 of your Form W-2 in addition to reporting these amounts in Box 10. The amount you can exclude is figured and claimed by completing Part III of Form 2441 or Schedule 2 of Form 1040A.
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Is severance pay taxable?
Amounts you receive as severance pay are taxable. A lump-sum payment for cancellation of your employment contract is income in the tax year you receive it and must be reported with your other salaries and wages. For additional information on wages, salaries, and other earnings, refer to Chapter 6 of Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax, or Tax Topic 401, Wages and Salaries.
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Are gifts, bequests, or inheritances taxable?
Generally, property you receive as a gift, bequest, or inheritance is not included in your income. However, if property you receive this way later produces income such as interest, dividends, or rentals, that income is taxable to you. For additional information, refer to Chapter 13 of Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax. If you inherit an Individual Retirement Arrangement (IRA) or proceeds from a retirement (pension) plan, special rules apply. Refer to Publication 590, Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs), or Publication 575, Pensions and Annuities, for further information.
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Is the money received from the sale of inherited property considered taxable income?
To determine if the sale of inherited property is taxable, you must first determine the basis (your cost) of the property. If you sell property for more than your basis, you have a gain on the sale which would be reported on Form 1040, SCHEDULE D, Capital Gains and Losses.
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Is money from student loans considered taxable income?
A school loan is not taxable at the time you get the money and should not be included as income on your return. A loan is not income because you are expected to repay the amount borrowed (plus interest). If, at a later date, any part of the loan were forgiven, the amount forgiven would be income in that year. Under certain circumstances, student loans forgiven are not income. For more information, refer to Exceptions under Canceled Debts in Publication 525, Taxable and Nontaxable Income.
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I received an academic scholarship that is designated to be used for tuition and books. Is this taxable?
Qualified scholarships and fellowships are treated as tax-free amounts if all of the following conditions are met:
- You are a candidate for a degree at an educational institution,
- Amounts you receive as a scholarship or fellowship are used for tuition and fees required for enrollment or attendance at the educational institution, or for books, supplies, and equipment required for courses of instruction, and
- The amounts received are not a payment for your services.
For additional information on Scholarship and Fellowship Grants, refer to Tax Topic 421, and Publication 520, Scholarships and Fellowships.
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Can I exclude any scholarship or grant from being taxed?
If you received a scholarship or fellowship, all or part of it may be taxable, even if you didn't receive a Form W-2. Generally, the entire amount is taxable if you are not a candidate for a degree.
If you are a candidate for a degree, you generally can exclude from income that part of the grant used for:
- Tuition and fees required for enrollment or attendance, or
- Fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for your courses.
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Can I exclude from taxable income the room and board portion of a grant or fellowship?
No, you cannot exclude from income any part of the grant used for other purposes, such as room and board. A scholarship generally is an amount paid for the benefit of a student at an educational institution to aid in the pursuit of studies. The student may be in either a graduate or an undergraduate program. A fellowship grant generally is an amount paid for the benefit of an individual to aid in the pursuit of study or research.
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Do I need to report income made as a work study student at my college?
If you are enrolled in a state or local work-training program under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, payments you receive as compensation for services are wages and reportable in gross income.
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Are benefits from life insurance taxable income and do they have to be reported?
Generally, if you receive the proceeds because of the death of the insured person the benefits are not taxable income and do not have to be reported. Any interest you receive would be taxable and would need to be reported just like any other interest received.
However, if the policy was turned over to you for a price, the proceeds are taxable.
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I am receiving long term disability. Is it considered taxable?
Generally, you must report as income any amount you receive for your disability through an accident or health insurance plan paid for by your employer.
If both you and your employer have paid for the premiums of the plan, only the amount you receive for your disability that is due to your employer's payments is reported as income. If you pay the entire cost of a health or accident insurance plan, do not include any amounts you receive for your disability as income on your tax return. If you pay the premiums of a health or accident insurance plan through a cafeteria plan, and the amount of the premium was not included as taxable income to you; the premiums are considered paid by your employer, and the disability benefits are fully taxable.
Refer to Publication 525, Taxable and Nontaxable Income, for more details. If the amounts are taxable, you can submit a Form W-4S, Request for Federal Income Tax Withholding, to the insurance company, or make estimated tax payments by filing Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals.
Amounts you receive from your employer while you are sick or injured are part of your salary or wages. Report the amount you receive on line 7, Form 1040; line 7, Form 1040A; or line 1, Form 1040EZ. You must include in your income sick pay from any of the following:
- A welfare fund.
- A state sickness or disability fund.
- An association of employers or employees.
- An insurance company, if your employer paid for the plan.
Payments you receive from qualified long-term care insurance contracts are generally excluded from income as reimbursement of medical expenses received for personal injury or sickness under an accident and health insurance contract. Also, certain payments received under a life insurance contract on the life of a terminally or chronically ill individual (accelerated death benefits) can be excluded from income.
You may be able to deduct your out of pocket expenses for medical care above any reimbursements, if you are eligible to itemize your deductions. You will need to review Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses.
For more information, refer to Publication 907, Tax Highlights for Persons with Disabilities.
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