Mike FriedmanBankDirect* is a financial institution with a unique proposition for deposit holders and travelers. It’s a subsidiary of Texas Capital Bank and, instead of large interest payments, offers its depositors miles, at the rate of one dollar saved equals one dollar per year. In other words, if you have an average of $60,000 in you account over the year, they’ll give you 60,000 American AAdvantage miles. 1/12 of the miles, or 5,000, are paid each month. In a period of low interest rates, the miles often got a better return, even after the bank’s $12 monthly fee. But, the question of the day: does BankDirect report miles to the IRS?
Generic Warning: We are not accountants and nothing in here should be seen as tax advice.
Does BankDirect Report Miles To The IRS? Well…
No More Advantage
It used to be that the other big advantage to the institution was that BankDirect did not report mileage earnings to the IRS. Instead, they only reported the (tiny) interest that you earned on the account. That was different than other banks, who reported account opening bonuses as income and sent you a 1099.
The Letter – BankDirect Report Miles To The IRS
According to a letter that we received today, though, their policy is changing. Starting in 2020, BankDirect will issue you a 1099 for your miles and report it as income to the IRS. They are going to make a “good faith estimate of the market value,” something that bloggers have been trying to do for years, without much success.
You can speak to your tax advisor about how much the miles should be valued at, but the bottom line is this: The BankDirect gravy train is over. It’s hard to see how the account makes sense in scenario where interest rates aren’t significantly below 1%. In essence, the question “does BankDirect report miles to the IRS,” now has an unfortunate answer.
Breath Easily, Credit Cards Probably Aren’t Next
Credit cards do not report to the IRS and are likely not going to start. Credit card payments are generally regarded as rebates, which usually are not subject to taxes. That differs from interest or bank bonuses, which frequently generate a 1099. On top of that, can you imagine the uproar if credit card rewards suddenly became subject to taxation? That would only be endorsed by a politician who did not want to get reelected.
Want to discuss it further? Check out the forum post.
*Accounts were traditionally established through BankDirect but are now actually issued by Bask Bank, a separate Texas Capital subsidiary.
