break the rules?

[Perfect two 💑 1,147]

51 minutes ago, geowrian said:

I concur that it doesn't sound like unauthorized employment. Whether or not the money is taxable or needs to be declared as income doesn't matter immigration-wise. The issue is with employment, not income.

 

I disagree that it "doesn't matter"...unauthorized activities is a violation of status whether or not they are a bar to AOS.

Thank you, geowrian! 😊

[aznhouston 130]

It is definitely self-employment. But... who cares? It's not like you're gonna make hundreds of thousands in gift cards.

[WandY 430]

18 hours ago, little immigrant said:

Those surveys and gift cards aren't taxable therefore I don't think you'd get in trouble. 

Bingo! That's correct. According to my CPA, the law is actually very defined and the survey company is smart to use gift cards. Why? Because gifts are not taxable (up to the $14,000 exclusion limit). Prizes and awards ARE taxable and you must report the FMV (fair market value) of any good or cash that you win. You report it on the "other income" on the 1040 form. Since you are not awarded cash or a specific good/product (given points and ultimately a gift card), this is considered a gift. "Gift card" - get it?

 

You have nothing to worry about it. Again, gifts are not taxable; prizes and awards are taxable. You are in the gift category.

[TNJ17 1,329]

Yeah this sounds like entertainment to me too. I’m curious though which app are you using? I always thought those were scams. 

[Unidentified 2,930]

20 hours ago, GreatDane said:

I would say that filling out the surveys constitutes work. There is compensation (IRS taxable - https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2292014-are-gift-cards-from-rewards-sites-taxable-as-income) and they only allow a fixed number of survey applicants. By doing the survey, he/she is taking away the opportunity for another person based in the US with work authorization from earning that income.

How? Most Americans don't have time to spend the incredible amounts of hours it takes to actually earn something from these surveys. 

[Unidentified 2,930]

21 hours ago, Perfect two 💑 said:

Hi Everyone, 

 

Need some help and opinion. I know that you are not allowed to work under K-1 visa or while waiting for AOS. However, the past few months, I started filling up survey online. You get reward when you fill take a survey (in terms of points) with that points, you can redeem it to a gift card (such as, amazon, PayPal, Visa Prepaid and etc). I just doing on my free time. Now, my points is enough to redeem a gift card. Just wondering, is it okay for me to redeem it? Or it is considered I'm working and I break the rules of K-1 if I redeem it now? 

 

 

I think you're fine. You'd have to spend an incredible amount of hours doing surveys to make enough that it might count as an income. I used to do them when I was here on a student visa. If you haven't already I recommend Ibotta. It's not surveys, it's an app that gives you cash back on things you buy for example at your grocery store, online etc. 

[Unidentified 2,930]

4 minutes ago, TNJ17 said:

Yeah this sounds like entertainment to me too. I’m curious though which app are you using? I always thought those were scams. 

Depends on what you are using. I forget what the website is called but there's even a website that has a list of the best survey websites and the ones to stay away from. 

[Perfect two 💑 1,147]

37 minutes ago, TNJ17 said:

Yeah this sounds like entertainment to me too. I’m curious though which app are you using? I always thought those were scams. 

I used two website :

1) swagbucks

2) gifthulk

 

don't use mobile app because it is mostly scam. Mobile app usually offer you to play game and earn money or break the ice to earn money.

35 minutes ago, Unidentified said:

I think you're fine. You'd have to spend an incredible amount of hours doing surveys to make enough that it might count as an income. I used to do them when I was here on a student visa. If you haven't already I recommend Ibotta. It's not surveys, it's an app that gives you cash back on things you buy for example at your grocery store, online etc. 

That is awesome! Will take a look at it. thanks!

[Going through 5,670]

53 minutes ago, Perfect two 💑 said:

I used two website :

1) swagbucks

2) gifthulk

I still do swagbucks now  

[Perfect two 💑 1,147]

10 minutes ago, Going through said:

I still do swagbucks now  

That is awesome. It is my favorite website if compared to others.

[David & Diana R 1,005]

7 hours ago, Perfect two 💑 said:

Nope, they didn't report such prize to the IRS. When I registered before, they only need my email. Nothing more than that. If I want to redeem the prize to Amazon or Walmart card, they will just send it through email. 

Now people are referring to your income as a "prize".  I personally don't think you are winning a prize.  You are earning points which can later be redeemed for merchandise.  Merchandise has value.  If I were you I wouldn't waste my time for the small amount of money you are likely getting in return for your work.  And I believe it is WORK. (See definition of work below)

 

Google Definition of WORK:

1. activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result. (Your purpose is to earn Gift cards which have value.)

 

2.  mental or physical activity as a means of earning income; employment.

 

My self personally would do NOTHING that even had a remote chance of causing me problems in the future.  Think RISK/REWARD.  Is it worth it?  Good luck, david

 

[GreatDane 366]

2 hours ago, Unidentified said:

How? Most Americans don't have time to spend the incredible amounts of hours it takes to actually earn something from these surveys. 

Still, a lot of people use them to earn money. As there are a fixed amount per geography, I think it's too much of a grey area as you could guarantee another person would be willing to take the study. The chances of it getting caught is low but why even risk the appearance of impropriety for $100? Also, the IRS and USCIS evaluate things, like Ibotta, differently. Those, like a cash rewards credit card, are treated as a discount as a purchase. Non-taxed, not income. 

[Going through 5,670]

1 hour ago, Perfect two 💑 said:

That is awesome. It is my favorite website if compared to others.

Mine as well---- When I was a housewife for 7 years, I was doing SB a lot out of boredom, and it helped me out quite a bit for spending money/personal expenses.

 

Now I just use it solely to avoid us spending on our child's Christmas gifts each year, or for flights abroad. 

 

 

[Villanelle 4,122]

This thread is just a bunch of peoples opinions. USCIS has no definition for "work". Its subject to interpretation. Congress needs to (re)define it since we are now in the digital age but theres no sign of them doing it anytime soon. So there is no correct answer for if its considered work- just opinions.

 

And worst case scenario- that its considered work; it wont be held against him.

 

Do what you believe is right morally. Even if something is not a law do what you feel is right.

[Unidentified 2,930]

16 hours ago, GreatDane said:

Still, a lot of people use them to earn money. As there are a fixed amount per geography, I think it's too much of a grey area as you could guarantee another person would be willing to take the study. The chances of it getting caught is low but why even risk the appearance of impropriety for $100? Also, the IRS and USCIS evaluate things, like Ibotta, differently. Those, like a cash rewards credit card, are treated as a discount as a purchase. Non-taxed, not income. 

Who the heck makes $100 on surveys?