Volunteer camphost needed

[Rigdon]

The Helena, Montana BLM is seeking camphost for the 2021 summer season. Host sites have full hook ups . Contact Rocky at RINFANGER@BLM.GOV. if interested.

[Pablo_Cook]

HappyKayakers wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:

stickdog wrote:

May want to look at that again. We volunteer 8 months per year and always with state or federal agencies.
These are not bartering arrangements. Look under IRS rules for volunteer regulations and you will find something different when volunteering with a non-profit.
If you're trading work for a site with a profit oriented business that is bartering and taxable income.
We have received a stipend from federal agencies and that is a reportable income.

Can't find anything on the IRS site suggesting this and I've come across a few private websites that say the rules are no different.

Do you have a link to the IRS rules you speak of?

Of course, for most people looking to work camp to save (ie: barter) for a site, they aren't making enough for the IRS to care to chase them down. More an issue of flying under the radar as opposed to being strictly within the rules.

Check IRS Pub 15-B, partially quoted below:
Lodging on Your Business Premises
You can exclude the value of lodging you furnish to an
employee from the employee's wages if it meets the following tests.
• It is furnished on your business premises.
• It is furnished for your convenience.
• The employee must accept it as a condition of employment.

Many campgrounds/RV parks get into hot water with the IRS when they have workampers and locals doing the same job. That negates the conditions listed above.

Thanks for the advice and experience, it's valuable to me right now.

[stickdog]

valhalla360 wrote:

stickdog wrote:

May want to look at that again. We volunteer 8 months per year and always with state or federal agencies.
These are not bartering arrangements. Look under IRS rules for volunteer regulations and you will find something different when volunteering with a non-profit.
If you're trading work for a site with a profit oriented business that is bartering and taxable income.
We have received a stipend from federal agencies and that is a reportable income.

Can't find anything on the IRS site suggesting this and I've come across a few private websites that say the rules are no different.

A non-profit may furnish housing and minimal compensation. Under IRS rules these are non taxable.
Clothing specifically for the job, uniforms, safety equipment are non taxable.

I don't know where you get your information but it certainly isn't from the IRS.

Wife and I are starting our 23 volunteer gig. We each contribute 25 hrs a week. Those hours are valued by the IRS at $27.50, so we are donating $1,375 in value for a FHU site.
Tell me I'm beating the Taxman.
Then there are the 2500 miles we traveled to get here. Now the milage rate for volunteers is $0.14 per mile but then I don't get to take that because I'm a full-time RVer.

We don't do this for a free site. When I was working I wrote a check I didn't have time to volunteer. Now I and the wife have the time and yes we volunteer at places we think will give us an enjoyable time on our off days.



Do you have a link to the IRS rules you speak of?

Of course, for most people looking to work camp to save (ie: barter) for a site, they aren't making enough for the IRS to care to chase them down. More an issue of flying under the radar as opposed to being strictly within the rules.

[HappyKayakers]

valhalla360 wrote:

stickdog wrote:

May want to look at that again. We volunteer 8 months per year and always with state or federal agencies.
These are not bartering arrangements. Look under IRS rules for volunteer regulations and you will find something different when volunteering with a non-profit.
If you're trading work for a site with a profit oriented business that is bartering and taxable income.
We have received a stipend from federal agencies and that is a reportable income.

Can't find anything on the IRS site suggesting this and I've come across a few private websites that say the rules are no different.

Do you have a link to the IRS rules you speak of?

Of course, for most people looking to work camp to save (ie: barter) for a site, they aren't making enough for the IRS to care to chase them down. More an issue of flying under the radar as opposed to being strictly within the rules.

Check IRS Pub 15-B, partially quoted below:
Lodging on Your Business Premises
You can exclude the value of lodging you furnish to an
employee from the employee's wages if it meets the following tests.
• It is furnished on your business premises.
• It is furnished for your convenience.
• The employee must accept it as a condition of employment.


Many campgrounds/RV parks get into hot water with the IRS when they have workampers and locals doing the same job. That negates the conditions listed above.

[Lwiddis]

“Federal and pretty much any state with an income tax consider it income.“

You can pay an employee money or you can pay for their selected expenses...it’s still INCOME!

Income is taxable. Accounting 101.

[valhalla360]

stickdog wrote:

May want to look at that again. We volunteer 8 months per year and always with state or federal agencies.
These are not bartering arrangements. Look under IRS rules for volunteer regulations and you will find something different when volunteering with a non-profit.
If you're trading work for a site with a profit oriented business that is bartering and taxable income.
We have received a stipend from federal agencies and that is a reportable income.

Can't find anything on the IRS site suggesting this and I've come across a few private websites that say the rules are no different.

Do you have a link to the IRS rules you speak of?

Of course, for most people looking to work camp to save (ie: barter) for a site, they aren't making enough for the IRS to care to chase them down. More an issue of flying under the radar as opposed to being strictly within the rules.

[stickdog]

valhalla360 wrote:

rk911 wrote:
the last time we looked into hosting...and it was a while...illinois considered the "free" campsite as taxable income. best to check.

It's not just Illinois. Federal and pretty much any state with an income tax consider it income.

Look up Barter rules with the IRS. You are supposed to estimate the value of the goods and services received and record that as income (minus any allowable deductions).

May want to look at that again. We volunteer 8 months per year and always with state or federal agencies.
These are not bartering arrangements. Look under IRS rules for volunteer regulations and you will find something different when volunteering with a non-profit.
If you're trading work for a site with a profit oriented business that is bartering and taxable income.
We have received a stipend from federal agencies and that is a reportable income.

[phil-t]

valhalla360 wrote:

rk911 wrote:
the last time we looked into hosting...and it was a while...illinois considered the "free" campsite as taxable income. best to check.

It's not just Illinois. Federal and pretty much any state with an income tax consider it income.

Look up Barter rules with the IRS. You are supposed to estimate the value of the goods and services received and record that as income (minus any allowable deductions).

LOL, Governments absolutely hate bartering. They get no $$$$. And "estimating value of a benefit given in exchange for labor", leaves a big wide open window for that estimation. I don't know what the current USA estimates are on loss of taxes to barter but I bet it's a BIG number.

[bucky]

cptqueeg wrote:

GDS-3950BH wrote:
snip....You are correct though, Rocky never had any say in the important stuff, that was Bullwinkles job.

That is funny stuff right there! ROFLOL

Yes, best one in a while. So sad that many will say "who"?

[valhalla360]

rk911 wrote:
the last time we looked into hosting...and it was a while...illinois considered the "free" campsite as taxable income. best to check.

It's not just Illinois. Federal and pretty much any state with an income tax consider it income.

Look up Barter rules with the IRS. You are supposed to estimate the value of the goods and services received and record that as income (minus any allowable deductions).

[cptqueeg]

GDS-3950BH wrote:
snip....You are correct though, Rocky never had any say in the important stuff, that was Bullwinkles job.

That is funny stuff right there! ROFLOL

[Rigdon]

The BLM gives a free site in a beautiful area. Propane is reimbursed and a reimbursement for lunch on 4 hours or more is paid.
We find it rewarding and it's halfway between Glacier and Yellowstone NP. And most campers are pretty decent folks.

[rk911]

the last time we looked into hosting...and it was a while...illinois considered the "free" campsite as taxable income. best to check.

[capacitor]

The camping fees are included for all days I assume. That would equal quite a lot.

[GDS-3950BH]

agesilaus wrote:

JimK-NY wrote:
When I campground hosted at a National Park, I got a hat, shirts and jacket, plus full hook ups. I worked 4 days on and had 4 days off. I got paid $15 for each of the days I worked.

Personally I think it is way too much work to be a campground host for free and especially when the job is often 7 days a week.

We've thought about doing hosting and I have to agree with you. I doubt Rocky has any say in the terms of employment

LOL.....Perhaps they should pay 6 figures with healthcare and 8 weeks Vacation?

You are correct though, Rocky never had any say in the important stuff, that was Bullwinkles job.