Table of Contents
- Are credit card rewards taxable?
- When your credit card rewards are not taxable
- When your credit card rewards are taxable
- Do card issuers send 1099s for taxable rewards?
- How do I know if I owe taxes on credit card rewards?
- The bottom line
Money Credit Cards
Article updated on Mar 29, 2024
If you must spend money to earn the reward, the IRS typically considers it a discount, not income. But watch out for exceptions.
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Written by Liliana Hall Associate Writer Liliana Hall is a writer for CNET Money covering banking, credit cards and mortgages. Previously, she wrote about personal credit for Bankrate and CreditCards.com. She is passionate about providing accessible content to enhance financial literacy. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor's degree in journalism, and has worked in the newsrooms of KUT and the Austin Chronicle. When not working, she is probably paddle boarding, hopping on a flight or reading for her book club. Tiffany Wendeln Connors is a senior editor for CNET Money with a focus on credit cards. Previously, she covered personal finance topics as a writer and editor at The Penny Hoarder. She is passionate about helping people make the best money decisions for themselves and their families. She graduated from Bowling Green State University with a bachelor's degree in journalism and has been a writer and editor for publications including the New York Post, Women's Running magazine and Soap Opera Digest. When she isn't working, you can find her enjoying life in St. Petersburg, Florida, with her husband, daughter and a very needy dog. Elizabeth Rivelli Elizabeth is a contributor to CNET and the The Simple Dollar, where she reviews insurance providers and policies. She has more than three years of experience writing for top online insurance and finance publications including Bankrate, Coverage.com and Reviews.com.
Edited by Courtney Johnston Senior Editor Courtney Johnston is a senior editor leading the CNET Money team. Passionate about financial literacy and inclusion, she has a decade of experience as a freelance journalist covering policy, financial news, real estate and investing. A New Jersey native, she graduated with an M.A. in English Literature and Professional Writing from the University of Indianapolis, where she also worked as a graduate writing instructor.
Reviewed by Lanesha Mohip Corporate accountant and founder of Polished CFO Lanesha D. Mohip, MBA, MHRM is the founder of Polished CFO. She’s also a corporate accountant who helps grow women-owned brands and businesses by improving their financial processes. Mohip believes that supporting women CEOs through education empowers them to make confident money decisions. She also hosts the Polished CFO podcast and was featured in Yahoo! Finance.
CNET staff -- not advertisers, partners or business interests -- determine how we review the products and services we cover. If you buy through our links, we may get paid.
Reviews ethics statementOur Experts
Written by Liliana Hall is a writer for CNET Money covering banking, credit cards and mortgages. Previously, she wrote about personal credit for Bankrate and CreditCards.com. She is passionate about providing accessible content to enhance financial literacy. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor's degree in journalism, and has worked in the newsrooms of KUT and the Austin Chronicle. When not working, she is probably paddle boarding, hopping on a flight or reading for her book club. Tiffany Connors Editor Tiffany Wendeln Connors is a senior editor for CNET Money with a focus on credit cards. Previously, she covered personal finance topics as a writer and editor at The Penny Hoarder. She is passionate about helping people make the best money decisions for themselves and their families. She graduated from Bowling Green State University with a bachelor's degree in journalism and has been a writer and editor for publications including the New York Post, Women's Running magazine and Soap Opera Digest. When she isn't working, you can find her enjoying life in St. Petersburg, Florida, with her husband, daughter and a very needy dog. Elizabeth Rivelli Elizabeth is a contributor to CNET and the The Simple Dollar, where she reviews insurance providers and policies. She has more than three years of experience writing for top online insurance and finance publications including Bankrate, Coverage.com and Reviews.com.
Edited by Courtney Johnston Senior Editor Courtney Johnston is a senior editor leading the CNET Money team. Passionate about financial literacy and inclusion, she has a decade of experience as a freelance journalist covering policy, financial news, real estate and investing. A New Jersey native, she graduated with an M.A. in English Literature and Professional Writing from the University of Indianapolis, where she also worked as a graduate writing instructor.
Reviewed by Lanesha Mohip Corporate accountant and founder of Polished CFO Lanesha D. Mohip, MBA, MHRM is the founder of Polished CFO. She’s also a corporate accountant who helps grow women-owned brands and businesses by improving their financial processes. Mohip believes that supporting women CEOs through education empowers them to make confident money decisions. She also hosts the Polished CFO podcast and was featured in Yahoo! Finance.
CNET staff -- not advertisers, partners or business interests -- determine how we review the products and services we cover. If you buy through our links, we may get paid.
Reviews ethics statementWhy You Can Trust CNET Money
Table of Contents
- Are credit card rewards taxable?
- When your credit card rewards are not taxable
- When your credit card rewards are taxable
- Do card issuers send 1099s for taxable rewards?
- How do I know if I owe taxes on credit card rewards?
- The bottom line
Written by
Liliana Hall
Associate Writer
Read more from Liliana
Liliana Hall is a writer for CNET Money covering banking, credit cards and mortgages. Previously, she wrote about personal credit for Bankrate and CreditCards.com. She is passionate about providing accessible content to enhance financial literacy. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor's degree in journalism, and has worked in the newsrooms of KUT and the Austin Chronicle. When not working, she is probably paddle boarding, hopping on a flight or reading for her book club.
Written by
Tiffany Connors
Editor
Read more from Tiffany
Tiffany Wendeln Connors is a senior editor for CNET Money with a focus on credit cards. Previously, she covered personal finance topics as a writer and editor at The Penny Hoarder. She is passionate about helping people make the best money decisions for themselves and their families. She graduated from Bowling Green State University with a bachelor's degree in journalism and has been a writer and editor for publications including the New York Post, Women's Running magazine and Soap Opera Digest. When she isn't working, you can find her enjoying life in St. Petersburg, Florida, with her husband, daughter and a very needy dog.
Written by
Elizabeth Rivelli
Read more from Elizabeth
Elizabeth is a contributor to CNET and the The Simple Dollar, where she reviews insurance providers and policies. She has more than three years of experience writing for top online insurance and finance publications including Bankrate, Coverage.com and Reviews.com.
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