This FAQ explains how taxes generally work for Rivly rewards, affiliate commissions, and creator programs.
It’s meant to help you understand what to expect — it’s not tax advice.
1. Do I need to pay taxes on Rivly Rewards?
It depends on how the rewards (credits) were earned.
Rivly rewards (credits) can be earned in different ways, and not all credits are treated the same for tax purposes.
2. Are Rivly Rewards earned from shopping taxable?
Generally, no.
If you earn Rivly rewards:
As a percentage back on purchases (e.g., 5–7% back)
As part of a shopping rewards or cashback program
And the rewards cannot be redeemed for cash
These rewards are typically treated as a rebate or discount, not income.
➡️ No tax form is issued for these rewards.
3. Are Rivly Rewards earned for writing reviews taxable?
Yes, in most cases.
If you earn Rivly credits because you:
Wrote reviews
Received “helpful” votes
Participated in a creator or revenue-share program
Earned rewards based on contribution or performance
Those credits are generally considered compensation, even if:
They are paid as store credit
They cannot be redeemed for cash
If the total value of these credits reaches $600 or more in a calendar year, Rivly may be required to issue a 1099-NEC to U.S. users.
4. Are affiliate commissions taxable if paid in Rivly Rewards?
Yes.
Affiliate commissions are considered payment for services (promotion and referrals).
If you choose to receive affiliate commissions as Rivly Rewards instead of cash:
The value of that credit is still taxable income
Store credit does not change the tax treatment
If you are a U.S. affiliate and your total affiliate earnings (cash + credit) reach $600 or more in a calendar year, Rivly will issue a 1099-NEC.
5. What if I only earn Rivly Rewards and never receive cash?
Rivly Rewards store credit can still be taxable depending on why it was issued.
| How credit was earned | Typically taxable? |
|---|---|
| Shopping rewards / cashback | ❌ No |
| Affiliate commissions | ✅ Yes |
| Review / creator rewards | ✅ Yes |
The key factor is whether the credit was earned for services or activity, not whether it can be cashed out.
6. Do I need to submit a W-9 to Rivly?
You’ll generally need to submit a W-9 if:
You are a U.S. person, and
You earn $600 or more in taxable Rivly compensation (affiliate commissions, review rewards) in a calendar year
Rivly typically requests tax information only when required, not at signup.
7. What tax form will Rivly issue?
For U.S. users:
1099-NEC — issued for non-employee compensation (affiliate commissions, creator rewards, etc.)
For non-U.S. users:
Rivly may request a W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E
1099 forms are generally not issued, but tax treatment may vary by country
8. When does Rivly report income?
If applicable, Rivly reports:
The fair market value of taxable credits or cash
In the calendar year the rewards were issued, not when they are spent
9. Are Rivly Rewards transferable or redeemable for cash?
No.
Rivly Rewards credit:
Cannot be redeemed for cash
Cannot be transferred to other users
Can only be used for purchases on Rivly
These restrictions help keep rewards secure and fairly distributed.
10. Does Rivly provide tax advice?
No.
Rivly provides general information to help you understand how rewards and commissions are typically treated, but:
We cannot provide personal tax advice
You should consult a tax professional if you have questions about your specific situation
11. Why does Rivly disclose tax treatment in multiple places?
Because transparency matters.
You may see tax notices:
On review or creator pages
In affiliate dashboards
In reviews or rewards summaries
In our Terms of Service
This is to make sure users understand how rewards work before earning them.
Summary
Shopping rewards → usually not taxable
Affiliate commissions → taxable, even if paid in store credit
Review / creator rewards → taxable, even if paid in store credit
$600+ taxable earnings (U.S.) → 1099 required
Store credit ≠ tax-free if earned for services
Disclaimer:
This FAQ is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax or legal advice. Tax rules can vary by country and individual circumstances.