Information courtesy of irs.gov
All income is taxable unless a law specifically says it isn’t. Here are some basic rules you should know to help you file an accurate tax return.
- Taxable income. Taxable income includes money you earn, like wages and tips. It also includes baratering (an exchange of property or services). The fair market value of property or services received is normally taxable.
Some types of income are not taxable except under certain conditions, including:
- Life insurance. Proceeds paid to you upon the death of an insured person are usually not taxable. However, if you redeem a life insurance policy for cash, any amount you get that is more than the cost of the policy is taxable.
- Qualified scholarship. In most cases, income from a scholarship is not taxable (includes amounts used for certain costs, such as tuition and required books). Amounts you use for room and board are taxable.
- Other income tax refunds. State or local income tax retfunds may be taxable. You should receive a Form 1099-G from the agency that paid you.
In addition, these items are usually not taxable:
- Gifts and inheritances
- Child support payments
- Welfare benefits
- Damage awards for physical injury or sickness
- Cash rebates from a dealer or manufacturer for an item you buy
- Reimbursements for qualified adoption expenses
Rules on taxable vs non-taxable income can be confusing. We will help you differentiate between taxable and non-taxable income — give us a call!
