Are credit card rewards taxable?

Many people often use credit cards for the rewards they offer. People could receive free flights, cash back, or other gift cards, but could you actually be increasing your tax liability?
We hope that you are paying off your credit card each month and not incurring additional debt while achieving those rewards, but either way you should be aware of the rules.
Tax-wise, it's okay to reward yourself by taking advantage of your credit card's cash-back program. At present, the amount you receive or use to reduce your payment or balance is not taxable income to you. Instead, it's considered a rebate, or a reduction in the price of the items you purchased, much like coupons you use at the grocery store.
The same is true for airline miles, gas rewards, or points you earn for charging purchases on your credit card.
What about amounts you receive as an incentive to sign up for a credit card? Those might be taxable, depending on the circumstance. For instance, if all you need to do to get the incentive is open an account, it's likely to be taxable, even if you do not receive a tax-reporting form.
On the other hand, when you're required to charge a certain amount before you receive the promised incentive, it may be deemed a rebate, and be nontaxable to you.
We understand that these scenarios can be quite confusing and encourage you to talk to a Liberty Tax specialist to make sure your situation is properly covered.
When you already have an account and win a prize in a random drawing sponsored by the card company, that's income, just like other contest winnings.
If you have questions about your specific situations, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help and look forward to assisting you.
<p><a title="David Rocci" href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrocci" target="_blank">David Rocci</a></p>