Do Awards Count as Income?

The federal government taxes prizes, sweepstakes, lottery winnings, and other types of income similar to ordinary income, regardless of the amount. This is true even if you made no effort to participate in the race for the prize. In general, money and rewards given to employees for their good work or suggestions are taxable income, since they are presented in exchange for an employee's performance or services. Therefore, cash awards and the fair market value of non-monetary awards are generally subject to federal income tax withholding and to FICA and FUTA taxes. In general, the tax reporting rules are the same for gifts as they are for prizes and awards.

It is considered taxable income for the employee, student or non-employee who receives it. The amount of a donation to an employee must be included on their W-2 form and is subject to all FICA income taxes and withholding, unless the donation is compensation for seniority in service, as defined in the following table. Gifts to students and non-employees are declared on a 1099-MISC form. All prizes of this nature paid to non-resident foreign students must be declared on the University of Washington Form 1042-S; unused amounts for tuition, books and fees must be withheld at 14%.

Like any other taxable income, the IRS also requires you to report prizes and winnings on your tax return. That means you may have to pay taxes on those profits. Your earnings end up included in your taxable income, which is used to calculate the taxes you owe. However, before you declare your prize and gambling income, you should know what is considered income and what is not. What if you're lucky enough to win a merit award for your outstanding contributions to science, art, or your community? Do you have to pay income taxes on the amount? The short answer is yes.

Unsolicited merit prizes or awards are fully taxable, with one exception in the case of cash prizes received from the United States Olympic Committee for having competed in the Olympic or Paralympic Games. In the case of gifts, awards and awards to employees, the department may request that the payroll department “gross” the value of the gift, prize or prize, so that the net payment is the prize or amount of the desired prize. Section 74 (a) requires the inclusion in gross income of all amounts received as prizes and prizes, unless such awards or awards qualify as an exclusion from gross income under subsection (b), or unless such prize or award is a scholarship or scholarship excluded from gross income under section 117. Similarly, awards of tangible personal property awarded to employees for security reasons are not considered employee income if the value of the prize does not exceed the limits specified in the Internal Revenue Code. The gift, prize or prize form must be used to report any gift, prize or prize awarded, regardless of the amount. Section 74 (b) provides for the exclusion of gross income from any amount received as a prize or prize, if (such prize or prize) was awarded primarily in recognition of the recipient's past achievements in religious, charitable, scientific, educational, artistic, literary or civic fields; (the recipient was selected without any action on his part to participate in the contest or procedure); and (the recipient) is not required to providing substantial services in the future as a condition of receiving the award or award. Certain employee achievement awards (tangible personal property items), if awarded under a college-wide seniority program or other achievement program, may be excluded from gross income. Tangible personal property awards awarded to employees for length of service are not considered employee income if the value of the compensation does not exceed the limits specified in the Internal Revenue Code.