topic I am hosting an exchange student (F1 visa) and being paid money from the family for the hosting. Is this income counted as regular income tax? in Deductions & credits

I am hosting an exchange student (F1 visa) and being paid money from the family for the hosting. Is this income counted as regular income tax?

mmorrison5 — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 05:53:55 GMT

Re: I am hosting an exchange student (F1 visa) and being paid money from the family for the hosting. Is this income counted as regular income tax?

Bsch4477 — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 22:01:27 GMT

The income is taxed and is discussed here.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/taxes/discussion/i-received-a-1099-misc-employee-compensation-for-hosting-a-foreign-exchange-student-can-i-complete-a/00/534468/amp

Re: I am hosting an exchange student (F1 visa) and being paid money from the family for the hosting. Is this income counted as regular income tax?

pk — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 22:12:56 GMT

@mmorrison5 , as a general matter, "It Depends".

If the payment is for a fixed sum agreed (for the purposes of defraying the additional cost), then it is income to you and taxed as such ( "Other income" with no self-employment taxes ).

If you are in the business of hosting ( students and/or others ) then the income can be recognized on schedule-C and allowable expenses can offset the income -- self-employment taxes also apply

If payment was gift ( i.e. there was no agreement and/no requirement to pay but the guest family wanted to help), then it is NOT income and therefore not taxable, even if the family is foreign.

That is my view/opinion.