Adsense Tax Question

December included in 1099's?

[sailorjwd]

Can anyone tell me if earnings from December clicks will be include in 2004 1099 from Google?

(time for quarterly tax payments &^%#@ )

[bnhall]

No - your tax due should be based on earnings received, not earned. However, Dec 2003 earnings would have been received in Jan 2004 so you'll still have to pay tax on 12 months of earnings, Dec 2003 - Nov 2004.

[mquarles]

Ummm -- if you're a business entity you might want to consider whether you're operation on a cash or accrual basis.

Also, I think the previous post is incorrect even if you're on a cash basis. I think that the date of the check is operative, not the date you receive it. For example, if you're an employee and your company cuts you a check on December 31 and mails it to you, and you receive it on Jan 2 and cash it in January, I'm pretty sure it is previous year earnings. I'm not sure if the same rule would apply to a business entity operating on a cash basis.

To state that point differently, while earnings "received" not "earned" is the question for a cash basis taxpayer, I think it's deemed to be "received" on the check issuance date, not the date you get it in the mail nor the date you cash it.

For business entities operating on an accrual basis, I'm 99.9% sure it would count as 2004 earnings.

MQ

P.S. As an individual, you are always on a cash basis.

P.P.S. <disclaimer>I am not a tax advisor, nor do I play one on TV. Consult somebody who actually knows ;-)</disclaimer>

[maximillianos]

I would have to agree with the above, I think Google bases their 1099's on a full year of revenue generated between 1/1 and 12/31. But I am not a tax expert either. Guess we'll just have to wait and see when we get the 1099s. Should be in a month or so.

[sailorjwd]

Wow... this gets complicated. Thanks for all the responses.

I didn't want to wait to see what was on the 1099 since I have to send in estimated taxes by the 15th and (happily) my google income for December was a significant part of my annual income.