If a protestor is being paid to protest, should they claim that income when they file their tax returns?

[AviatorTom]

There's a lot of discussion over whether some of the people involved in recent protests are being paid.

This question is not about whether there are, or are not, paid protesters.

But if someone is being paid to protest, should they claim that income on their income taxes?

If Yes, do you think they do report it?

What do you think?

YES- the IRS views this as income and SHOULD BE REPORTED, and MOST do report it

YES - the IRS views this as income and SHOULD BE REPORTED,, but FEW do report it

NO - the IRS is not aware of this so DO NOT REPORT it

Something ELSE - please tell

[SeekerOfTruth007]

Yes, I worked as a Tax Pro 2 at H&R Block for a few years. You are required to report ALL income on your tax return unless the tax code specifically states otherwise. In this case, the income goes under "Other income" or on Schedule C, depending on the amount of the income, since you are working as an independent contractor, as ridiculous as that seems.

If you so much as find a dollar bill on the ground and pick it up, you are supposed to report that too under "other income".

[exitseven]

I think most of these people are paid cash and never tell the IRS about it. The ringleaders are usually paid through a NGO and get s 1099.

[DryGermanGuy]

Let's do some Maga rubes mathematics here: 8 million people at the latest No Kings get a measly 50 dollars each to show up. That's 400 million dollars. Now, is "the Jew" paying all this by himself or are China and Ukraine involved?

[exitseven]

@DryGermanGuy I herad it was an NGO fronted by Soros.

[DryGermanGuy]

Remember, what you read on Facekook or hear from the drunken village idiot is never true. Use your brain, if you have one. The reason why you have never seen a paid protester waving his new dollar bills around is the same reason why you have never seen 2000 mules in court: They don’t exist!

[exitseven]

@DryGermanGuy they are paid in larger denomination bills. Some of the nursing home patients do it just to get some fresh air and a nice box lunch.

[DryGermanGuy]

I repeat myself:
The reason why you have never seen a paid protester waving his new dollar bills around is the same reason why you have never seen 2000 mules in court: They don’t exist!

[exitseven]

@DryGermanGuy not too many people wave around big wads of cash.

[DryGermanGuy]

Yeah, in today's world of Facekook, Tic-Tac and Instagrift, they do and would do so.
And the fact that you now even allege the protesters having been paid "big wads of cash" shows an even higher level of ridiculousness than I calculated in my first reply.

[slatyb]

Where are the advertisements for people to show up? On some super-secret web site that only liberals can see, and eight million people are all keeping it a secret?

[purplepoppy]

No because once you go down that route you could falsely accuse any protester of getting paid. Effectively you'd weapons the tax system and put people in the impossible position of having to prove they weren't paid.

[Anonymous]

Lame lie like all the FEMA lying you were doing that one year.

[DryGermanGuy]

Another dumb conspiracy theory straight from the orifices of Qanon.

[Cidknee]

What's it to you?
Nothing, you just like stirring things up.

[NathanDavis]

you take cash, in advance too...

not even protestors trust these politicians... lol

[slatyb]

Anyone who claims protestors are paid could just sign up themselves and there would be clear evidence. But they don't, because it isn't happening.

[Tomislav7]

@slatyb paid protests are a thing lol. Just as crisis actors are used for mourning just as in the past where you would have professional mourners at funerals

[slatyb]

@Tomislav7 Right -- who is paying them? Why don't any of the people like you claiming that protestors are paid go get paid themselves and prove it?

[Tomislav7]

I would assume organizers that receive political funding. Again, not all are paid. Protestors come for many reasons: petition, anarchy, social gathering (going out to see but no investment) and paid participants.

[Tomislav7]

Thats like believing the first Roman fire brigades werent starting fires intentionally when business was slow.

[slatyb]

@Tomislav7 You can't find one paid participant, you are just repeating convenient lies. Eight million people came out for the March 28th protest.

[slatyb]

Or more likely you are just a bot.

[Tomislav7]

Whatever helps you sleep at night. The burden of proof is on you, go prove me wrong. Do 'your' research and tell me not 1 person was paid 1 time 1 rally 1 day. I doubt it in a world where if its possible its probable

[slatyb]

@Tomislav7 No, it's not. You are claiming something that could easily be proven true, if it were, but it's not. You don't just get to make up shit and tell me to prove it's wrong. You made the claim, and it's complete bullshit until you bring the receipts.

[Tomislav7]

This isn't a hill im going to die on. Im saying it could possible and i wouldn't doubt it. But it won't matter either way because media influences public opinion so narratives for and protests follow as a result

[Tomislav7]

form*

[Chazmatazz269]

100%
Everyone who benefits from living, working and earning income in or from the US should have to pay their fair share. Anyone who doesn’t contribute should be denied any and all benefits and privileges of citizenship.

[goaded]

Other: it doesn't happen. Would you risk tear-gas, rubber bullets, or even being shot to death for cash?

[Cidknee]

I wouldn't but I wouldn't be on the left either.

[strateguy632]

Law is they must report it but i don't know how they would trace the payment.

[RavVid]

Didn't they get Capone on tax evasion? Maybe they should check protesters financial records.

[Surely]

When you have to pay taxes on retirement income. You darn right should pay taxes on other income. Illegal or otherwise!

[Shiprex]

Being paid as a salary while protesting is not being paid to protest

[loveslongnails]

More than likely it's dark money to begin with.

[Xawyx-2]

Well, I guess that's up to the protestor to decide.

[msc545]

Nobody gets paid to protest. That is yet another MAGA myth.

[goaded]

Trump paid people to be at his announcement for 2016.

"The clearest, best-documented instance of people being paid to appear at a Trump event was the 2015/2016 campaign-launch at Trump Tower, where multiple outlets reported extras were offered about $50 each to attend and cheer"
factually.co/.../was-trump-campaign-paying-people-to-attend-rally-fe9502

But on the left? No need. We'll protest injustice for free.

[Smegskull]

Not sure what the rules are if this is counted as charity work... Interesting thought though.

[Grilo]

That’s a hard one as they should pay tax but I hate tax as it gets wasted

[Friendlybro79]

Whatever the law states should apply. I think if it's a over certain amount you are supposed to report it.

[FunkyMonkee]

Yes, they should!!

[psta1591]

yes they are working not protesting

[Iron_Man]

Yes, they should claim that for sure

[beefcakebradybatson]

More Trumpster BS !!!

[Cidknee]

YES!

[Cidknee]

Considering the side they protest for tells you it's never reported except by Soros, the payee.