Volunteering and taxes

As with many things, the definition of "volunteer" is key....generally, if one receives compensation of any kind (even just a paid site), it's not volunteering, it's employment. How that's managed paperwork-wise differs not only from State to State, but from job to job.

Here's a link to some pretty good info on the subject of the tax implications of receiving paid sites and/or other compensation when volunteering.

Depends, I know that Oregon State Parks volunteer time and mileage is tax deductible, so no W2 or 1099.

We've volunteered at 5 different state and federal parks all over the country and have never gotten a W2 from anyone .

When we volunteer we sometimes get a 1099 but never a W-2. If I have not earned anything except a site I don't file. I only file when I actually earn money. I list myself as an independent contractor on my income tax forms.

donn0128 wrote:
Depends, I know that Oregon State Parks volunteer time and mileage is tax deductible, so no W2 or 1099.

Tax Deductible? Never heard of this. OSP volunteer for two years now.

Francesca Knowles wrote:
As with many things, the definition of "volunteer" is key....generally, if one receives compensation of any kind (even just a paid site), it's not volunteering, it's employment. How that's managed paperwork-wise differs not only from State to State, but from job to job.

Here's a link to some pretty good info on the subject of the tax implications of receiving paid sites and/or other compensation when
volunteering.

Good article.

We volunteer in the western states - and Michigan and have never gotten a W-2. This is national parks, state parks, Fish & Wildlife.

We've volunteered at a variety of forest parks and county parks and have never been given a 1099 . Only W2 ever received was when we received wages for work we did.