Saving & Spending Taxes

14 Shocking Things You Might Owe Taxes on (Including Taylor Swift Tickets)

These unexpected items could be draining your wallet come tax season.

taxes past due
Updated Sept. 24, 2024
Fact checked

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

The standard federal items you’ll see taken out of your paycheck are called FICA, or taxes for the Federal Insurance Contributions Act. 

That money goes into Social Security (6.2% of your pay) and Medicare (1.45%). Most states also have an income tax you’ll see come out of your wages.

There are, however, some downright weird and surprising things the IRS collects taxes on that make it hard to keep more money in your wallet.

If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive discounts and financial resources

Over 50? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member you could be missing out on huge perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on things like travel, meal deliveries, eyeglasses, prescriptions that aren’t covered by insurance and more.

How to become a member today:

  • Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
  • Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
  • Start enjoying your discounts and perks!

Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (Do not skip this step!) Doing so will allow you to take up 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $12 per year with auto-renewal.

Become an AARP member now

Bribes

Vitalii Vodolazskyi/Adobe notepad with sign owe taxes

Crime might pay in the short term, but the IRS still collects taxes on it.

Even if you’re not using legitimate ways to earn extra money, the IRS still wants you to report it. That includes “kickbacks, side commissions, push money, or similar payments.” They go on your Schedule 1.

Canceled debt

Michael O'Keene/Adobe check to internal revenue service

There are plenty of reasons for your debt to be canceled, such as bankruptcy, defaulting, loan forgiveness, or even a settlement.

The ringer is that unpaid debt is treated as income by the IRS. You can expect to receive a Form 1099-C from the creditor because it's your responsibility to provide accurate information during tax time.

Digital currencies

Jakub Krechowicz/Adobe bitcoin golden coin on circuit board of computer

Cryptocurrency, like Bitcoin, though existing in the digital realm, demands real-world tax obligations.

The IRS categorizes digital assets as property, not currency, requiring reporting for sales and exchanges. Despite their intangible nature, these assets hold tangible tax implications that taxpayers must address.

Resolve $10,000 or more of your debt

Credit card debt is suffocating. It constantly weighs on your mind and controls every choice you make. You can end up emotionally and even physically drained from it. And even though you make regular payments, it feels like you can never make any progress because of the interest.

National Debt Relief could help you resolve your credit card debt with an affordable plan that works for you. Just tell them your situation, then find out your debt relief options.1

How to get National Debt Relief to help you resolve your debt: Sign up for a free debt assessment here. (Do not skip this step!) By signing up for a free assessment, National Debt Relief can assist you in settling your debt, but only if you schedule the assessment.

Try it

Drug deals

Kimberly Reinick/Adobe Money next to tax form

The IRS doesn’t particularly care how you made your money, but it does want you to report your earnings.

The agency is serious about taxpayers reporting income from illegal activities on Form 1040. That includes activities like drug dealing and other illicit deeds. 

While statistics on the number of people disclosing crime-based income are unavailable, the IRS mandates the inclusion of such earnings in tax filings.

Employee bonuses

Leigh Prather/Adobe us tax forms

Bonuses for being an excellent employee can be just as excellent — but they can come back to bite you.

The IRS mandates reporting them as income, subjecting them to taxation. This applies to non-cash bonuses, including perks like vacations. 

Employee achievement awards, governed by distinct rules, often qualify for income exclusion, presenting a different tax treatment than regular bonuses.

Fantasy sports

Tada Images/Adobe draftkings app from iphone

Having a victorious season in your fantasy football league might bring virtual glory, but it can also lead to tax obligations.

The IRS treats earnings from fantasy sports leagues as gambling winnings, subject to taxation. However, if you itemize, you can deduct gambling losses up to the amount of your winnings.

Gold

Couperfield/Adobe Hundreds kilos of gold stolen during war in Europe

Maybe you don’t trust the American banking system, so you decided to stash some gold away from prying eyes. Bad news: You still need to pay taxes on it because it’s considered collectible.

If you sell those precious coins you’ve been hanging on to, you’re likely looking at a maximum tax rate of 28%.

Home sale

Andy Dean/Adobe for sale real estate sign

You might need to pay capital gains taxes if you sold your home, depending on whether you exceeded your profit limits or don’t qualify for an exemption.

You can exclude $250,000 ($500,000 for joint filers) from home sale profits. To qualify for the exclusion, you must meet the IRS’s ownership and use tests: You must have owned the residence and used it as your main home for two years out of the five years before the sale.

Interest

Krakenimages.com/Adobe holding pay taxes word on paper

Accounts you have that earn interest — which you can pull money from — may be taxed.

Dividends on deposits or share accounts in certain financial institutions are considered taxable interest. Interest earned on Treasury bills, notes, and bonds is subject to federal income tax but is exempt from state and local income taxes. 

Look for a 1099-INT. Your bank statements should also show how much interest you’ve earned.

Earn cash back on everyday purchases with this rare account

Want to earn cash back on your everyday purchases without using a credit card? With the Discover®️ Cashback Debit Checking account (member FDIC), you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month!2

With no credit check to apply and no monthly fees to worry about, you can earn nearly passive income on purchases you’re making anyway — up to an extra $360 a year!

This rare checking account has other great perks too, like access to your paycheck up to 2 days early with Early Pay, no minimum deposit or monthly balance requirements, over 60K fee-free ATMs, and the ability to add cash to your account at Walmart stores nationwide.

Don’t leave money on the table — it only takes minutes to apply and it won’t impact your credit score.

Apply for a Discover Cashback Checking account today

Jury duty

Michael O'Keene/Adobe upset man holding out his hand to show the jury duty summons

Whether you view a jury duty summons as an inconvenience or a civic duty, the income you receive during your time in the courtroom must be reported.

However, if you're required to reimburse your employer for the pay it continues to provide during that period, it becomes deductible.

Social Security benefits

gunnar3000/Adobe social security benefits

Let’s say you spent decades paying into Social Security through FICA taxes. When you collect Social Security later in life, those taxes go away, right? Nope.

Up to 85% of your Social Security benefits can be taxes if you file as an individual with an income surpassing $25,000 or jointly with your spouse if the income exceeds $32,000. 

If you’re married and filing separately, you’re probably still subject to taxes on your Social Security benefits.

Tickets you resold

Postmodern Studio/Adobe Ticketmaster company logo close-up

If you made money reselling tickets for concerts or sporting events, you might owe the IRS, even if you don’t get a Form 1099-K from a third-party payment app. You must still report the income if you’re running a business reselling tickets.

Luckily, the IRS decided to delay the new $600 profit threshold for the 2023 tax year, which may have affected more people. 

However, starting with the 2025 tax year, you’ll need to report and pay taxes on amounts over $600 (the threshold is $5,000 for the 2024 tax year), so keep track of any profits you make throughout the year.

Treasure

fergregory/Adobe A treasure chest

Avast, ye federal agents.

Discovering a treasure trove of booty is certainly a delight, but the IRS will want a piece of it. Anything you find that was “lost or abandoned” can be taxed at the fair market value of said goodies.

Bank bonuses

DragonImages/Adobe financial services website

Many banks offer sign-up bonuses for new checking or savings accounts. But be wary: You’ll want to set aside part of that bonus for tax season.

You might get a 1099-INT or a 1099-MISC. You might not get any form. But the IRS will still consider it income, so you need to report it. On the positive, the IRS does not treat credit card sign-up bonuses as income, so you don’t need to report those.

Bottom line

insta_photos/Adobe mature woman reading paper bill

Each area carries distinctive tax implications, from bank bonuses and bribes to canceled debt and digital currencies. 

Even illicit income, like drug deals, and unexpected windfalls like treasure finds aren't exempt. Fantasy sports winnings, home sales, and resold tickets also fall under the tax umbrella.

Understanding these peculiar tax obligations ensures you won’t get caught by surprise come tax time. Pretty much anything you do to get ahead financially, the IRS probably wants to know about it.

Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards

5.0
info

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Current Offer

$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks
Card Details