homelesshartshorns Posted January 22, 2016 Report Share Posted January 22, 2016 Considering hosting in Minnesota I hear stories about taking a $75 amount to compensate Propane? Is this some kind of tax thing for them? We don't want to accept any payment for any reason, we are Volunteering. Has anyone had any experience with this issue? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nana25k Posted January 22, 2016 Report Share Posted January 22, 2016 I'm confused. First of all what entity are you considering?? Federal, state etc or private campground? A government agency might offer you a stipend(payment) to compensate for propane use. This can and might generate a 1099 tax form and is taxable income. How thus small amount affects your taxes can't be determined. This is however becoming less likely with the federal govt as new regulations pretty much are eliminating it. Many federal agencies are now more likely to provide the actual propane as part of a full hookup site (just like the electricity and water) Private campgrounds are another situation which I gave no knowledge of. Of course you can always refuse the stipend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nana25k Posted January 22, 2016 Report Share Posted January 22, 2016 Of course the best way to get the facts is to actually contact the specific place and ask. We always recommend that potential volunteers get a confirmation email outling the details of their commitment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homelesshartshorns Posted January 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2016 I don't plan to accept any payment of any kind. It is the Chippewa National Forest. I just wonder not excepting money was a deal breaker for them or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nana25k Posted January 22, 2016 Report Share Posted January 22, 2016 Can't imagine it would be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mptjelgin Posted January 23, 2016 Report Share Posted January 23, 2016 We've chosen not to accept a stipend on a FWS gig in the past. No issue at all... But at the same time, we have accepted FWS refilling our propane tanks for propane used while volunteering. I don't see that as any different than their providing electricity or water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TXiceman Posted January 23, 2016 Report Share Posted January 23, 2016 We hosted this past summer at Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge north of Detroit Lakes, MN. No pay, nice sites, great staff and very active and friendly Friends group. The Volunteer Coordinator is Janice Bengtsen. Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nana25k Posted January 23, 2016 Report Share Posted January 23, 2016 Just as a heads up. A new National USFWS Volunteer policy is being reviewed as we speak. Can't wait to see what it addresses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twotoes Posted January 28, 2016 Report Share Posted January 28, 2016 The issue is whether or not they deduct the cost of the propane provided to you. I volunteer in a state park and receive a free site with full hookup every summer. Not a taxable event. I once went to volunteer at a corporate RV Resort. I was to be given a free site with full hookup. When I got there I was asked to sign a 1099 and I refused. I said I am not getting paid so I don't have to sign a 1099. It was explained to me that I would be paid $7 per hour and that $7 per hour would be deducted from my pay and I would receive a paycheck in the amount of $0.00. They said that the IRS made them do it. I found out they were deducting the value of the free site from their bottom line and that was why the IRS made the volunteer claim the value of the site. I refused to sign, terminated my volunteer position and left. Who wants to volunteer, get a pay check for $0 and owe income tax? I believe that at a Federal or State run campground this would not be a problem because they don't file taxes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mptjelgin Posted January 28, 2016 Report Share Posted January 28, 2016 The reason that we turned down a stipend with FWS was that I didn't want the 1099 generated. It has never been an issue with propane as that is considered a utility just like electricity and water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjhunter01 Posted January 28, 2016 Report Share Posted January 28, 2016 How about donating the income to a good cause and using the 1099 for a tax deduction? Lemon to lemonade. Update - I worked in ND last fall in the sugar beets and the income tax was pretty easy. One form both sides for a $4k income our tax was less than $10. Got the form online, took about a half hour to fill and mail. Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mptjelgin Posted January 28, 2016 Report Share Posted January 28, 2016 Generating a 1099 while volunteering in a state with a state income tax opens a can of worms that I prefer to remain closed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindaH Posted January 28, 2016 Report Share Posted January 28, 2016 We volunteered as campground hosts at a BLM campground several years ago and were given a small stipend to cover propane or whatever. We were not sent a 1099 of any kind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mptjelgin Posted January 28, 2016 Report Share Posted January 28, 2016 I know several folks who volunteered for FWS for years and received cash stipends without generating a 1099. But after an IRS review of their process FWS started issuing 1099's consistently to volunteers who accept a cash stipend, much to the dismay of a few friends who weren't aware of the change! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nana25k Posted January 28, 2016 Report Share Posted January 28, 2016 We volunteered as campground hosts at a BLM campground several years ago and were given a small stipend to cover propane or whatever. We were not sent a 1099 of any kind.unfortunetly times have changed and all federal agencies are being audited closely for some of these items. That's why we always ask the agency to purchase the propane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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