Campground Host?

[tickranch]

My wife & I will soon be getting our 1st RV, a 5r. We have discussed work camping, and thinking about starting out with campground host. I got to wondering if when you are a "volunteer" if there would be anything we'd have to do as far as paying taxes?

[gripper]

Hi Tickranch,

I am not a CPA, but I have been doing my own taxes, plus friends & relatives taxes, for years. As I understand it, you only have to pay taxes on "income" received, during the tax year. If you do volunteer work, there is no income. Right? However, sometimes, "free" lodging, etc., for doing work for a company, such as a CG, could be construed as income, much like a "free" company car. If the CG issues you a form 1099, then they have also sent a copy to the IRS, and you will have to pay taxes on that. Best to check with a CPA, on that. What you don't want to do is wait until the end of the year to pay the taxes, because the taxes could be a rather large amount, plus the IRS, could penalize you for not paying the taxes quarterly. I Know an RV'er that was paid monthly by a CG and, at the end of the year, owed thousands of dollars, in taxes. Roland

[golden]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tickranch My wife & I will soon be getting our 1st RV, a 5r. We have discussed work camping, and thinking about starting out with campground host. I got to wondering if when you are a "volunteer" if there would be anything we'd have to do as far as paying taxes?

The short answer is "no".

[deadeye916]

If the CG you work at issues a 1099 you will be paying taxes.

Best advice is to consult with your tax adviser.

[Rocky Larson]

You first have to decide if what you are doing is WorkKamping or really volunteering. It can depend on the "business" nature and maybe even what you are doing at each location. Income vs stipends, donating vs bartering, for profit vs not-for-profit, and government vs private and many other details I can't think of come into play. That is all before you can even start to think about what you have to declare and what you might be able to deduct in exchange for your "services".
Keep good records, and good luck.

[DBOL]

Just pay your Tax with a because you know who needs themLOL!

[hdossett]

I have volunteered and worked for wages at state and Fed parks. As a volunteer, in a CA state park, there was never a mention of taxes, but as a volunteer "employee", I was covered under workman comp.

Working for wages as a park ranger @ the North Rim of Grand Canyon NP, my parking pad, valued @ $150/mo was taxable, and was on my 1099, however, it was not included for FICA taxes because living there was part of the job and not earned income, or something like that. Go figure!

That said, taxes should be the very last thing to consider, if ever, when looking to volunteer or "Work Kamp." In my very humble opinion of course. The point is to do what you want do, and be where you want to be!

Harold