UA Compensation Process and the IRS
Apr 23, 2017, 3:36 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: CLD, DEN
Programs: UA 1K, HH Diamond
Posts: 138
UA Compensation Process and the IRS
On two recent United flights I was gladly able to volunteer my seat for a voucher and rebooking to another a flight. One of which was prior to the unfortunate mess UA finds themselves in and one today. On both occasions I was asked to fill out some paperwork which included my address, city, state, zip and signature.
This paperwork seems new this year and I'm wondering why United needs this information? Will I be receiving a 1099 from the airlines? Do I need to use my United profile address if it defers from my new current home address? Any thoughts would be great.
This paperwork seems new this year and I'm wondering why United needs this information? Will I be receiving a 1099 from the airlines? Do I need to use my United profile address if it defers from my new current home address? Any thoughts would be great.
Apr 23, 2017, 3:39 pm
#2
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: if it's Thursday, this must be Belgium
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 6,483
I haven't ever had to provide that type of info, and definitely have never had any tax implications from volunteering or anything related to ticketed travel. I doubt UA wants to be in that issue either, I wouldn't worry about it.
Apr 23, 2017, 3:52 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: CLD, DEN
Programs: UA 1K, HH Diamond
Posts: 138
As well, does it really matter what address I use? I have two homes and have my profile set in a different state than I'm living in right now.
Apr 23, 2017, 4:01 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: LHR (sometimes CLE, SFO, BOS, LAX, SEA)
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Posts: 5,892
The paperwork is not new (it has been required by Continental and United throughout the 2000s). I have filled this out a couple of dozen times when getting VDB'd. I can't remember whether I have been successfully VDB'd and received a printed e-cert voucher *without* filling out this paperwork but I think, no, not recently.
The paperwork does not lead to a 1099.
In my experience the address you print has no effect on anything.
The paperwork does not lead to a 1099.
In my experience the address you print has no effect on anything.
Apr 23, 2017, 5:08 pm
#6
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Join Date: Aug 2009
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I am not a tax professional.
However, per my experience, if UA intends to issue a 1099-MISC to you, UA should have either your W-9 (assuming you are a U.S. person) or SSN on file.
If you never give those out, UA is unlikely to issue a 1099-MISC to you.
However, per my experience, if UA intends to issue a 1099-MISC to you, UA should have either your W-9 (assuming you are a U.S. person) or SSN on file.
If you never give those out, UA is unlikely to issue a 1099-MISC to you.
Apr 23, 2017, 6:29 pm
#7
Moderator: Smoking Lounge; FlyerTalk Evangelist
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The paperwork is not new (it has been required by Continental and United throughout the 2000s). I have filled this out a couple of dozen times when getting VDB'd. I can't remember whether I have been successfully VDB'd and received a printed e-cert voucher *without* filling out this paperwork but I think, no, not recently.
The paperwork does not lead to a 1099.
In my experience the address you print has no effect on anything.
The paperwork does not lead to a 1099.
In my experience the address you print has no effect on anything.
Apr 23, 2017, 6:38 pm
#8
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Houston
Programs: UA 1K and Million Miler, *A Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hertz Five Star,
Posts: 1,301
Agreed. Has anyone ever gotten a 1099 for a comped meal after a less than ideal dinner experience??? Nope!
Apr 23, 2017, 7:24 pm
#9
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
It's nonetheless a good concern to raise (not the 1099-MISC, but the income issue).
With all the discussion of increased compensation and attention drawn to VDB, more businesses are likely to enforce a prohibition on employees accepting VDB and with DL touting VDB up to $9,900 (not that it will really pay that much), this issue will catch IRS attention.
IDB/VDB isn't income if you paid for the ticket (nor is the comped meal from post #8 ) unless a third party paid for the ticket. But, if your employer paid for the ticket and you pocket the compensation, that's income you will need to report.
Unfortunately, recent events have drawn attention to the issue and you can bet that it's now going to get attention.
With all the discussion of increased compensation and attention drawn to VDB, more businesses are likely to enforce a prohibition on employees accepting VDB and with DL touting VDB up to $9,900 (not that it will really pay that much), this issue will catch IRS attention.
IDB/VDB isn't income if you paid for the ticket (nor is the comped meal from post #8 ) unless a third party paid for the ticket. But, if your employer paid for the ticket and you pocket the compensation, that's income you will need to report.
Unfortunately, recent events have drawn attention to the issue and you can bet that it's now going to get attention.
Apr 23, 2017, 7:51 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 137
Here is a good blog post discussing the issue.
http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea....ation-taxable/
http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea....ation-taxable/
Apr 23, 2017, 10:35 pm
#12
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DL asks for this if you're not crediting your SkyMiles
AA doesn't ask for this
old UA never asked for this
CO always asked for this
Since CO asked for this, and they're using CO systems, UA asks for this.
AA doesn't ask for this
old UA never asked for this
CO always asked for this
Since CO asked for this, and they're using CO systems, UA asks for this.
Apr 24, 2017, 12:14 pm
#13
Join Date: May 2016
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