1099-K & Rebate Key

[boozer0]

Hello!  I do not sell anything.  I use Paypal to send and receive payments from friends and receive cashback/rebates back from Rebate Key which is over $600.  I purchase items at full price through Rebatekey & Amazon, Ebay, Etsy, etc... and Rebatekey gives me money back via Paypal for the discounted price the seller is offering through Rebatekey's website.  I'm worried I'll get a 1099-K and don't feel I should have to claim any of it since it's nothing I'm selling.  If I do receive a 1099-K, is there a way for me not to claim that "Income" since it's not income?  Thanks!

[LouiseS CPA]

Hi Boozer0,

  Your question has several parts so I'm going to break it down into different paragraphs.

For the money that you receive from family and friends, that is no problem since you are not selling goods or services.  That is the income that the IRS is targeting to be reported.  Hopefully, the payments are being labeled family and friends so that is resolved on the front of the transaction.  

We do not know yet if Rebate key will send a tax form to you.  They may not since this is all rebate oriented.  Let us say that  Yes, they sent a form 1099-k.  In that situation, it is not income since you did not sell goods or services for the money.  Below is a more detail explanation on rebates. 

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/irs-tax-return/video-are-cash-back-rewards-taxable-income/L1FWH...

  In summary, the money that you are receiving is not considered income by the IRS.   In the unlikely situation that you receive a tax form, it is either a gift or a discount.  Neither of which is taxable,

Thanks for reaching out,

  Louise