You’re earning income. That means Uncle Sam wants his cut. Whether you’re hosting long-term PCS stays or short-term TDY drop-ins, you’ve got responsibilities. But don’t worry — it’s not that deep, and we’ve got your six.
Also, Foxhole uses Stripe — which automatically tracks payouts and issues tax forms if you cross the $600 mark. That means: no shady Venmo, no envelope full of cash. Just clean, traceable income like a real business.
1. Yes, It’s Taxable. Sorry.
If you earn more than $600 in a year, you’ll get a 1099-K from Stripe. But even if you earn less than that, you still need to report your income. Don’t skip it. The IRS doesn’t play.
Pro Tip: Open a separate bank account for Foxhole income. Makes tax time 10x easier.
2. The 14-Day Rule (for the Weekend Warriors)
If you rent your home for 14 days or fewer per year and live in it the rest of the time, congrats — your rental income is tax-free.
If you go over 14 days? That income becomes taxable. All of it. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
3. Deductions You’d Be Crazy Not to Use
Hosting comes with write-offs. Here are the big ones:
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Cleaning fees
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Repairs and maintenance
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Utilities
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Mortgage interest (portion)
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Toiletries, towels, coffee — yes, really
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Ads you run for your listing
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Foxhole’s Finder’s Fee (yep, deductible)
Keep your receipts. Don’t wait until April.
4. State & Local Taxes Exist Too (Yay)
Some cities want lodging tax, sales tax, or “occupancy” tax. Every area is different.
Foxhole handles sales tax collection automatically through Stripe Tax when applicable.
Still, you are responsible for knowing your local rules. Google it. Or ask your tax person.
5. Short-Term vs Long-Term? Why Not Both.
We get it — you’ve got a preference. But if your area allows both, list for both. Why? Because you don’t know what kind of opportunity will show up.
One of our earliest hosts only wanted to do short-term. She lived near a National Guard base. Turns out, they ran a 2-month school rotation year-round. Now? She’s booked back-to-back every 60 days on rolling one-month leases. She’s crushing it. Don’t lock yourself out of income.
6. Track Everything. Like a Grown-Up.
Use:
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QuickBooks Self-Employed
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TurboTax Self-Employed
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Expensify
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Or just a Google Sheet with dates and dollar signs
Stripe makes tracking payouts easy — but your expenses are on you.
7. Should You Pay Quarterly Taxes?
If hosting is a side hustle, probably not. If it’s your main income source, you might need to pay quarterly. If you’re unsure, ask a CPA. Don’t guess.
8. Don’t Be That Guy. Report Your Income.
If you don’t? The IRS will still find out. Stripe reports your earnings. So play it straight, file it right, and sleep well knowing you’re not one audit away from disaster.
Final Word
Hosting on Foxhole is legit income — treat it like it.
Track your earnings. Use your deductions. Know your local rules.
And remember: if you’re smart about it, you’ll keep more of what you earn and build long-term, recurring income serving the military community.
Questions? DM us or email support@stayfoxhole.com. We’re here to help you crush it — legally.
