For 1000’s of retirees, working on the native polling station is a civic obligation that comes with a modest stipend, often considered as “pocket cash” somewhat than a job. Traditionally, this earnings was usually exempt from FICA (Social Safety and Medicare) taxes if it fell beneath a sure threshold, simplifying the paperwork for volunteers. Nevertheless, in 2026, the brink for FICA taxation on election employees is $2,500a determine that many jurisdictions at the moment are exceeding resulting from longer early voting intervals and better each day pay charges. Which means that for the primary time, many “volunteers” are technically “workers” within the eyes of the IRS, triggering surprising tax withholding and W-2 types. Understanding this shift prevents a nasty shock while you file your taxes subsequent 12 months.
The $2,500 “FICA Cliff”
Federal regulation units a particular exclusion threshold for election employees, which is adjusted for inflation; for 2026, that quantity is $2,500. If you happen to earn $2,499, you might be exempt from Social Safety and Medicare taxes (until your state has a particular “Part 218” settlement that claims in any other case). Nevertheless, the second you earn $2,500, the complete quantity could turn out to be topic to the 7.65% FICA tax, lowering your internet pay. With many counties now paying $200+ per day for 10 days of early voting plus Election Day, hitting this cover is less complicated than ever. You basically take a pay lower in your first greenback earned when you cross this line.
Longer Hours Imply Greater Taxes
The growth of early voting weeks has turned election work from a one-day occasion right into a part-time job spanning almost a month. A ballot employee who staffs the complete two weeks of early voting in a significant metro space can simply earn $3,000 or extra in a single election cycle. This increased quantity of labor pushes 1000’s of seniors over the federal exclusion restrict, reworking their “stipend” into taxable wages. You would possibly discover that your verify for the overall election is considerably lighter than your verify for the first as a result of taxes have been instantly withheld. It adjustments the monetary calculus of volunteering.
The W-2 vs. 1099 Confusion
If you happen to earn over $600 however beneath the FICA threshold, you would possibly nonetheless obtain a W-2 solely for earnings tax reporting functions. Nevertheless, confusion arises when counties default to sending Type W-2 for all employees to be secure, even those that earned $100. In 2026, automated payroll methods are much less more likely to filter out small quantities, resulting in a flood of tax types for minor funds. Receiving a W-2 for $300 of ballot work can complicate your tax return, particularly for those who often file a easy 1040-SR. You could report this earnings on Line 1 (Wages), not as “Different Revenue,” which might have an effect on your Earned Revenue Tax Credit score eligibility.
Influence on Social Safety Earnings Take a look at
For retirees between age 62 and their Full Retirement Age (FRA), election employee pay counts towards the annual Earnings Take a look at restrict ($23,000 vary). Whereas $2,500 might sound small, if you’re already working a part-time job that places you near the restrict, this further ballot pay may set off a profit discount. Each greenback earned on the polling station counts as “wages,” probably inflicting the SSA to withhold $1 of advantages for each $2 you go over. You might be successfully volunteering to have your Social Safety verify lower for those who aren’t cautious.
The “Part 218” Wildcard
To make issues extra complicated, some states have “Part 218” agreements that set the tax threshold decrease than the federal $2,500. In these states, you could be taxed on Social Safety from the primary greenback you earn, whatever the federal minimal. This patchwork of guidelines means a ballot employee in Ohio could be tax-exempt whereas one in Illinois is absolutely taxed for a similar work. You could verify along with your county clerk’s workplace to see in case your native authorities has a Part 218 modification.
Plan for the Withholding
If you happen to plan to work the complete early voting schedule this November, assume you’ll be taxed. Modify your expectations so that you aren’t shocked when the county withholds 7.65% for FICA and probably 10-15% for federal earnings tax.
Did you obtain a W-2 on your election work this 12 months? Go away a remark beneath—inform us in the event that they withheld taxes!
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