How the Credit Card Signup Bonus Game Works for Tax in 2026

Episode 71 of The Tax Strategy Podcast tackles a question that comes up every spring: do credit card signup bonuses count as taxable income? Lucas and Luna walk through the specific IRS rules that separate a true gift or rebate from taxable income, using real-world examples like an $800 Chase Sapphire bonus and a rare 250,000-point Amex Business Platinum offer. They explain why the IRS has never issued formal guidance on points, how the 'purchase requirement' test works in practice, and why your bank's 1099-INT or 1099-MISC changes everything. The episode closes with a clear checklist: if you meet a minimum spend and get cash back, you likely owe nothing — but if you earn interest on a deposit or get a referral bonus, the IRS expects its cut. Along the way, Lucas and Luna share how listener support via buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo keeps the show ad-free and independent. #CreditCardBonuses #SignupBonus #IRS #TaxableIncome #CreditCardPoints #TravelRewards #ChaseSapphire #AmexBusinessPlatinum #1099INT #1099MISC #TaxRules #GiftVsIncome #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #FinancePodcast #TaxStrategy #PersonalFinance #PodcastEpisode71 Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo