You've Got Mail: Chase Is Sending out 1099s for Referral Bonuses
Earlier this week, people who earned referral bonuses with AMEX saw 1099s hit their mailbox. Now, it would seem that Chase is following suit, issuing 1099s for referral bonuses earned by cardholders in 2018. Chase is valuing the points earned for referrals at 1.0 cent. (TPG's own current valuations for Chase Ultimate Rewards points is 2.0 cents.)
Generally, points and miles earned with credit cards fall under a heading of rebates, and are therefor not taxable. From what we are now seeing from Chase and American Express, it would seem that these referral bonuses are being categorized as incentives, which are taxable.
When reviewing your 1099, remember the amount on the form is not how much you owe in taxes, it is showing the value of the 'income'. How much you actually owe will be based on your tax bracket.
TPG's own JT Genter, who happens to be a CPA in Georgia, has some guidance regarding what to do if you received a 1099 for your referral bonuses. (You can read his full post about the American Express 1099s here.)
What should I do with this 1099?
It's probably most proper for you to report on Line 21 Other Income of your Form 1040 personal tax return. An exception to that would be if you make a legitimate business out of referring people to Chase credit cards — in which case you can file on Schedule C along with any related expenses.
What if I already filed my tax return?
Unfortunately, you're going to need to file a superseding tax return to report this income — unless you want a letter from the IRS asking you why you didn't include this income. And the problem with those letters is that they usually come with penalties and interest.
What if I don't agree with the valuation of the points?
It's probably not worth fighting the valuation for this small amount of income. However, there's a prolonged tax law explanation on why these points probably aren't actually taxable yet. If you want to go down that path, you'll want to talk with a tax professional about how to do so without prompting a notice from the IRS.
Can I just ignore the 1099?
You could, but I wouldn't recommend it. As this form was — or will be — filed with the IRS, the taxman is going to expect you to report this income on your personal tax return. Ignoring it will almost certainly net you a "matching notice" letter from the IRS noting the discrepancy.
Is there anything else I can do?
You could complain to Chase about getting a 1099, and Chase might just send a corrected 1099-MISC with a lesser amount of income. For the 2016 tax year, Chase sent out 1099s reporting income for referrals before sending out a "corrected" 1099 adjusting that income amount to $0. Reaching out to Chase may not change anything, but it could be worth a shot.
JT Genter is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Georgia. However, information in this article has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide — and should not be relied on as — tax advice. Please consult your tax professional.
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