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Level 1
posted Mar 3, 2025 10:38:19 AM

What form should I use to report income for hosting for 3 weeks foreign exchange student thru and agency. I provided meals, transportation and entertainment?

I received a 1099-Misc. I don't think I should use Schedule C, since this is not a business

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1 Best answer
Expert Alumni
Mar 3, 2025 11:56:17 AM

Since it was just a one-time thing and there was no intent to earn a profit, you can report the income as "other" income. Just make sure you answer the questions correctly in TurboTax regarding not earning the money in previous or future years, the work not being associated with your job and your intention of not earning a profit.

6 Replies
Level 15
Mar 3, 2025 10:41:37 AM

It will not have much--if any-- effect on your refund or tax due.

 

ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901071-can-i-take-a-deduction-for-housing-an-exchange-student

 

 

From the IRS

https://www.irs.gov/publications/p526#en_US_2012_publink1000229664

 

 

Expenses Paid for Student Living With You

 

You may be able to deduct some expenses of having a student live with you. You can deduct qualifying expenses for a foreign or American student who:

  1. Lives in your home under a written agreement between you and a qualified organization (defined later) as part of a program of the organization to provide educational opportunities for the student,
  2. Isn't your relative (defined later) or dependent (also defined later), and
  3. Is a full-time student in the twelfth or any lower grade at a school in the United States.

You can deduct up to $50 a month for each full calendar month the student lives with you. Any month when conditions (1) through (3) are met for 15 or more days counts as a full month.

 

Expert Alumni
Mar 3, 2025 10:45:46 AM

It is possible you should use a Schedule C to report the income you describe as self-employment income. In order for it not to be considered self-employment income in TurboTax, the income would have to be earned in the current year only, be unrelated to your normal job and not likely to recur in future years, and you would have to not have a profit motive for hosting the students. Also, if you report it as self-employment income, you will be able to deduct associated expenses (up to $50/month), which you can't do if you report it as "other" income.

Level 1
Mar 3, 2025 11:48:14 AM

thank you for your response, my student was no a full-time student but she was in an immersion program, I had to take her to sightseeing and events in the area.  She was in my home for only 3 weeks. 

Level 1
Mar 3, 2025 11:50:50 AM

Thank you for your reply, she was in my house only for 3 weeks under a immersion program. It was not with the intention to make money or as part of my business, it was because a friend could not host this student and the agency needed help.

Expert Alumni
Mar 3, 2025 11:56:17 AM

Since it was just a one-time thing and there was no intent to earn a profit, you can report the income as "other" income. Just make sure you answer the questions correctly in TurboTax regarding not earning the money in previous or future years, the work not being associated with your job and your intention of not earning a profit.

Level 1
Mar 3, 2025 11:58:50 AM

Thank you! that makes sense 😊