Hello. I recently joined a product testing company (based in TX, I live in California). I am considered a "mystery product tester" because I first need to buy these products with my own money on Amazon, share the order number with the company, and once the product ships I get a 100% reimbursement as an ACH in my bank account (or I could choose PayPal too). So, I pay for it first, but get all the money back, making it a free product testing. Is the above in any way considered income or "gifts perceived as income" by the IRS. I have proof of all payments and reimbursements, if needed for tax purposes. I get many products that I end up sharing with friends an family, so they are not even all for my own use.
As a separate thing, I do get points for writing questionnaires and making product comparisons for the products (worth between $1.50 and $3.50) ans smaller payments (25-50 cents) for voting on product images/packaging. Once I reach $25 worth of point the company pays me via ACH for those. Now I do know that these are considered income, just like gift cards from taking surveys and have no problem with reporting that. I doubt this company would send a 1099, even if I earned over $600 worth of points, but am hoping they would not have to include the reimbursements as part of the income.
Thanks to anyone for helping me with this. I searched the internet but could not find answers.
