1099-NEC For Reimbursement of Expenses Taking Foster Son to See His Mother Prior to Unification

[davidjroy]

In March of 2022, my wife took our foster son from Colorado to Louisiana to meet his mother for the first time in 7 years, pending their upcoming re-unification in May of 2022.

She submitted the expenses to Arapahoe County Human Services to get reimbursed for travel there and back. Arapahoe County Government issued a 1099-NEC to us. This was not payment for services, nor was it a business expense. It was simply to recover the cost of their trip. Why is this counted as income and is there a way to get it taken off?

[DaveF1006 · Accepted solution]

it depends if the Arapahoe County Human Services agreed to pay the expense reimbursement for the reunification and the agreement is written. If so, then any payment on their part should not be considered taxable income.  If there is a formal agreement in writing, report it by:

1. Go to  Federal Taxes -> Wages & Income>
2. Less Common Income>Miscellaneous Income> Other reportable income.

When it asks, "Any other reportable income?" say yes and then type in 1099 NEC for expense reimbursements and the amount of the reimbursement.  in the Box below, enter 1099 NEC non-taxable reimbursements and report the same income with a minus sign in front of it.

[davidjroy]

It turns out my wife was sent a W9 to complete and return to them, and that they stated the reimbursement would not be taxable. I then followed your instructions for subtracting the amount under Other Income. This has saved me about $500.

Thank you so much!

David Roy