I read some comments early this week regarding "personal" tax liability as a result of a RoadTest part they received. (As far as customs and/or duties of the shipments we send to RoadTesters, element14 should be paying those taxes. If a RoadTester is being charged for these, please notify me and I will get you a reimbursement.)
I think there are two things I wanted to comment on with regard to personal tax liability:
1. The RoadTest "Terms and Conditions" says the following:
Winners are responsible for all applicable taxes, duties or other charges payable in relation to any prize.
If you are a new RoadTester, you should read the T&Cs and get familiar with them.
2. In the U.S., if you receive a RoadTest product that is valued over $600, the company is required to issue you a 1099 form (Independent Contractor). This is considered personal income.
In hindsight, I guess I could have added a reminder to the RoadTesters who received products valued in excess of $600 as a courtesy. In the future, I will. Most of our RoadTest products are valued less than $100 so this issue doesn't come up very often. I apologize for any inconvenience this has posed.
Randall Scasny
RoadTest Program Manager
