Up to $750
30.4% annualized bonus return
Not bank APY
Hold $5k ($400) or $15k ($750) ~60 days.
Ease 4/10 · ~60 daysNo expiration
Hold balanceDetails
30.4% annualized bonus return (not bank APY)
$15,000 kept in the account, 60 days
Are bank bonuses taxable, and what forms arrive
Core · 5 min read · updated 2026-08-14
Yes, bank account bonuses are taxable income in the United States. Banks usually report them on Form 1099-INT as interest, sometimes on Form 1099-MISC as other income, and send the form in January for the year the bonus posted. Credit card welcome offers earned through spending are generally not taxable.
Which form you get
| Bonus type | Tax treatment |
|---|---|
| Checking or savings account bonus | Taxable. Form 1099-INT, sometimes 1099-MISC. |
| Brokerage transfer bonus | Taxable. Usually Form 1099-MISC. |
| Credit card welcome offer earned by spending | Generally treated as a rebate, not income, so no form. |
| Referral bonus you receive for referring someone | Taxable. Usually Form 1099-MISC. |
What it costs you
Multiply the bonus by your marginal rate. A $300 bonus in the 22 percent federal bracket plus a 5 percent state rate nets about $219. That is still an excellent return for fifteen minutes, but it should be the number you compare against, not the headline.
Banks sometimes fail to send a form for small amounts. The income is still reportable.
Keep a simple record
- Note the bank, the amount, and the date the bonus posted, for every offer you complete.
- In January, match the 1099s against your list so nothing is missed or double counted.
Offers that prove the point
Live offers from the tracker, updated as terms change.
$1,200
29.2% annualized bonus return
Not bank APY
Hold $25,000 new money 60 days + 6 qualifying transactions.
Ease 3/10 · ~30 days afterAug 30, 2026
Hold balanceDetails
29.2% annualized bonus return (not bank APY)
$25,000 kept in the account, 60 days
Up to $200
16.2% annualized bonus return
Not bank APY
Hold $3,000 avg · $50 per cycle · code START200.
Ease 6/10 · per cycleAug 30, 2026
Hold balanceDetails
16.2% annualized bonus return (not bank APY)
$3,000 kept in the account, 150 days
$200
6.6% annualized bonus return
Not bank APY
Hold $10,000 for 90 days (fund within 20).
Ease 5/10 · ~90 daysJul 30, 2026
Hold balanceDetails
6.6% annualized bonus return (not bank APY)
$10,000 kept in the account, 110 days
Questions people ask
Are credit card sign up bonuses taxable?
Generally no, when earned by meeting a spending requirement, because the IRS treats them as a purchase rebate. Bonuses earned without spending, such as a referral payment, are taxable.
What if I never receive a 1099?
You are still expected to report the income. Keep your own record of every bonus and the date it posted.
Keep going
More guides
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Master bonus wall
Every account, one place
Bonus links across banks, brokers, cards, crypto, and cashback apps. Many have not had their terms or promotion permission reviewed yet; each card says which. Churnables may earn a referral reward when you qualify through these links, and the issuer's page will show the referral code after you arrive.