Volunteering and taxes

[path1]

Does anybody know what states give out W-2’s even though you are just volunteering? For us, we would not want to be burden filling out state tax forms and maybe even being considered a resident just because we are volunteering. Does anybody insight how states handle volunteers?
https://www.ftb.ca.gov/forms/2012/12_1031.pdf

Nonresidents and Part-Year Residents – File a California tax return if you have any income from California sources...

Anybody been thru this? We wouldn't mind volunteering close to where grandkids are. Any insight.

[doxiemom11]

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.

[2gypsies1]

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

[BillAnn_C]

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.

[BillAnn_C]

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.

[tandkj]

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.

[luvglass]

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

[donn0128]

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

[Francesca_Knowl]

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.