Ref Pay question

[hefnerjm]

Being new to Texas, I was wondering if any chapters have started using RefPay through Arbiter? If so, what has been the experience?  if not, what is the rationale against it?

In the spirit of full disclosure, I am still learning all the ins and outs of how things work down here, and I know there are alot of moving parts between UIL, TASO, and the respective school districts.  To my mind, it seems like a lot of work for the school district staff to keep up with all the paperwork, plus horror stories of entire seasons' worth of officials pay sheets getting lost when someone decides to retire.

When I was up in Michigan, it was tremendously helpful as we never had to deal with handing a random school official paperwork with our SSN, and, more often than not, pay was in the bank before I left the game site. 

The biggest argument I have heard against Arbiter/RefPay is that they charge the schools a fee to process payments...but in my (albeit simple) thinking, I cant imagine that fee being more than the cost of doing all that work manually.  Is this simply an issue of TASO Chapters communicating the benefits to school districts and convincing them to use RefPay? Or is there some other obstacle that I am not aware of?

[Coby]

I agree with you on the most part it should be very easy.  Here is my concern:

If I get paid $1500 a year from officiating I do not get W-9 unless I make more then 600 from any 1 district.  If I got $1500 from Ref Pay would I get W-9?

For me I dont care but for some of the simpler refs who dont know how to track expenses they might care.

[riffraft]

You will get a 1099 from Refpay

[TexDoc]

We get paid from CUSA through RefPay.  It works very well.

[TxSkyBolt]

But as stated you get a 1099 in the cumulative amount.


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[Joe Stack]

Not according to the RefPay website. They provide W9s for each school district and the district sends out based on their requirements.

Frankly, it shouldn't matter. Not going to lecture anyone, but even if you decide to not report some income and that option was no longer available, the benefits of electronic payment far outweight the costs. Identify theft is a HUGE concern.

[TxSkyBolt]

I got one 1099 for cumulative payments from two conferences.


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[Joe Stack]

Can only go by what they say on their site:

Are all payments paid through ArbiterPayTM combined into one 1099 at year's end?

Payments are NOT combined with other payments made by different schools, conferences or associations with a separate Tax ID when ArbiterPayTM clients continue to issue their own 1099s. Over 75% of ArbiterPayTM clients fall into this category. Schools/conferences can require that ArbiterPayTM issue their 1099s. Payment totals for 1099s are combined for those clients that choose this option.

[TxBJ]

 So that says IF the clients continue to issue their own 1099's. Sounds like they do combine them if the clients don't choose to issue their own.

[Martin Kiff]

Although I don't officiate in TX, I spent years working in Texas as a Pro Rodeo Clown and gotten 1099s from Houston to Fort Worth and everywhere in between.  I have been audited many times, mainly because my profession doesn't fit into any normal IRS category.   I ref in California where we went from receiving school district checks, to association checks, to ref pay.  For those of you who don't claim your officiating income, shame on you because you are losing money.   The proof of your income, like a 1099, allows you to right off much more then you make.  We all know the basic write offs like uniform, dues and meals but add mileage,  a portion of your cell phone bill, gym membership to stay in shape, wi-fi, clothes to train in and marriage counseling.  I make over $6,000 officiating football and hoops and I lose my BUTT as far as the IRS is involved.  All perfectly legal. There is no law that says you need to make a profit... Ever.   Every few years the MAN will send you a letter wondering why you keep losing money at your profession, and you sign a nice letter stating that your stupid and like losing money.  Or you can say that your stupid BUTT (the MAN) gives me 55 cents a mile to carpool to a game and all I have to do is keep a record of how far it is from my house to the game and back.  Yes, keep your receipts, but did you know you can perdeum your meals if the gal at the snack bar doesn't want to write you a receipt for a hotdog.  The only downside to refpay is that its easier for your wife to find out how much you make.  If you get audited... tell them a clown said it was legal. 

[mishatx]

I'm not sure if the benefit to claiming all your income is that you can cheat on your deductions.

I'm not a tax attorney, but you might need one if you claim some of those deductions.

[hefnerjm]

So, what I am gathering is that the biggest argument AGAINST RefPay is that it potentially reveals more income to the IRS that previously might have been easier to not report?

idk about you guys, but the amount I make on officiating doesnt materially affect my tax bracket...and it is an integrity thing for me to report what I make..."Give unto Caesar that which is Caesar's".

If I can get the income in faster, with less manual paperwork, and more digital/automated paperwork, then whats the rub?

[TxBJ]

I would be all for going to Refpay, especially if it does not slow down payment too much. Seems much easier than checks from each school

[Etref]

FIFY

..."Give unto Caesar ONLY that which is Caesar's".

[NorCalMike]

I would be all for going to Refpay, especially if it does not slow down payment too much. Seems much easier than checks from each school

I don't work in Texas but we have used RefPay for about 6 years. If you get a RefPay payroll card the money is deposited direct to the card that can be used at any ATM. If you want it transferred into your account it can up to five days although I think the longest wait I have ever had is 2 days.

[Welpe]

We use Refpay here in my association in CA and it is excellent. Not having to chase down checks from rogue districts is a nice change of pace.