Is a "member equity allocation/refund" (from an electric company) considered taxable income?

[ToddL · Accepted solution]

No, it is not taxable income unless they reported it to you on a Form 1099-MISC. 

It is most likely a return of a capital contribution ("deposit") you made when you first started getting service from a cooperative utility company ("member-owned"). The deposit wasn't deductible, so the refund isn't taxable.

Less likely, it was your allocated share of profits from a cooperative utility company ("member-owned"). Unless you were deducting utility costs (e.g. rental property or business), this allocation would not be taxable, either.

[ToddL]

I get these every year from an electric coop I "joined" 20+ years ago.