[toc]This is the first in a four-part series about paying taxes on daily fantasy sports.

If you withdraw via PayPal it takes 48 hours to process. If you withdraw via online banking it takes 2-4 business days to process. If you withdraw via check, it should arrive within 7 to 10 business days. Additional withdrawal details: We conduct anti-fraud checks on playing patterns and deposits prior to processing a withdrawal. FanDuel offers a standard deposit bonus of 100% up to $100 on your very first deposit. Basically, put on $100, and you’ll see that you have $200 in your sportsbook account. Something that was really awesome about this promotion was that the playthrough requirement was extremely low. FanDuel also allows users to edit multiple lineups via CSV files using the 'CSV Edit' tool available on the Upcoming page and the Live page (for late swap). You can withdraw your money at any time, subject to anti-fraud checks on playing patterns and deposits prior to processing.

Does FanDuel have a limit on how close to start time an entry can be canceled? If not, that seems like there could be the possibility of shenanigans. Maybe that’s why they don’t let you mass cancel. If you have to take the time to cancel a lot of games that leaves time for others to enter. Can FanDuel add a card on my behalf? Why is my card information saved? I thought FanDuel was free. Why was I prompted to pay? Is my card information secure? When will my card be charged? How long is the card information saved? Why do I have a deposit limit on my account?

Did you receive a tax form as a result of your daily fantasy sports play in 2015? It may look like this, or this. Even if you played and won and did not receive any tax forms, there still may be an obligation to report and pay taxes on winnings.

Reporting taxes from DFS play in 2015 is not straightforward for players. The legal battles and legislative developments surrounding DFS in the United States leave us with unresolved questions that could affect how players sort through their tax situations.

Today begins a series of posts on DFS and taxes in the United States. This post will cover the impact of tax forms that players may receive as a result of DFS play.

In general, the sites do not consider DFS play as gambling, and issue tax forms based upon that assumption. To date, the Internal Revenue Service has not commented on whether it considers DFS play, or fantasy sports games in general, as gambling.

Gambling or not, all winnings on DFS sites are taxable under the Internal Revenue Code.

Some players mistakenly believe that DFS winnings are taxable only if the site issues them a tax form. What are the forms, and what do they mean?

Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Income

A common practice for a DFS site is to issue a Form 1099-MISC to a player if the player won $600 or more on the site during the year. The amount of winnings should appear in Box 3, “Other income.” A copy of the form is also sent to the IRS.

How does a DFS site determine whether a player reached the $600 threshold?

FanDuel, for example, claims it computes a player’s “net profit” using the following formula for the calendar year:

Net profit = Prize Winnings – Entry Fees + Bonuses + FDP Entries

FDP stands for FanDuel Points, which are earned by players when they enter into a money game. As the points accumulate, the player may use the points to enter into paid contests.

It appears that if FanDuel issues a Form 1099-MISC, the amount reported captures all of the player’s activity for the year on the site. If FanDuel does not issue the form, the player could apply the same formula above to determine taxable winnings for the year from playing on the site.

Despite how the DFS sites calculate winnings, the IRS may nonetheless take the position that the formula above should include entry fees paid only from winning contests and exclude those from losing contests.

There is at least one indication of this position in a Private Letter Ruling issued by the IRS in 2005. In the PLR, the IRS advised an online gaming site on the appropriate Form 1099-MISC formula for computing player winnings from various games such as checkers, golf, 9-ball pool and mah-jongg.

Though a PLR binds only the IRS and the requesting taxpayer and cannot be cited as precedent by other taxpayers, this PLR may indicate how the IRS may rule on similar fact patterns in the future, as applied to DFS.

A lesson here is not to assume that all DFS sites apply the same formula as FanDuel. A player should know what is and is not included in each site’s Form 1099-MISC formula in order to be able to also report the items not included, if applicable. More on this in the next post.

Form 1099-K, Payment Card and Third Party Network Transactions

There is another tax form at play in the DFS world, the Form 1099-K. This form is not issued by DFS sites themselves. Instead it is issued by credit card or third-party merchants, such as PayPal.

In short, a payment merchant is required to issue Form 1099-K if a taxpayer receives more than 200 incoming payments that in the aggregate exceed $20,000.

A potential unfortunate outcome here is the double reporting of income.

Suppose my FanDuel net winnings for 2015 were $25,000, and I make more than 200 withdrawal requests (however unlikely) from PayPal that total $25,000. I will receive a Form 1099-MISC from FanDuel and a Form 1099-K from PayPal. My income from DFS play is $25,000. The IRS gets a copy of both forms and based on these forms alone, the IRS may think that my income was actually $50,000, rather than $25,000.

A more likely scenario is a DFS player who also runs an online business and receives payments through PayPal and other merchants. A 1099-K does not specify the activities generating the receipt of funds, so the amount reported on a 1099-K could represent a blend of DFS income and other income.

A lesson here is recognizing the 1099-K triggering thresholds and the added complications that could arise when tax forms are issued from two different companies on the same activity. It is important to remember that if the taxpayer receives fewer than 200 incoming payments from the merchant, the 1099-K will not be issued. Limiting the number of incoming payments may help avoid having to provide an explanation to the IRS later on.

Key takeaways on 1099s

• Winnings from DFS play is taxable income whether or not a tax form is issued.
• Winnings from DFS play is taxable income whether or not the activity is considered gambling.

How the income and expenses are reported to the IRS depend on whether DFS play is considered gambling. We will get into that next time.

Disclaimer: Nothing contained in this article is specific tax advice, as each person’s situation is different. Consult a tax professional to discuss particular facts and circumstances.

What is FanDuel?

FanDuel first launched in 2009 when the daily fantasy sports (DFS) industry was in its infancy. It wasn’t long before the company became a prominent player in the DFS game.

The company quickly made inroads with its platform’s smooth interface and prize pools. FanDuel would gain additional attention as an innovator in live DFS final tournaments.

Fanduel Sportsbook Withdrawal

Today, FanDuel is a dominant force in DFS and the second-largest operator in terms of users and revenue.

FanDuel DFS free bonus

If you sign up for FanDuel via our exclusive links, you’ll receive free money before you even make your first deposit. New users will receive a bonus of $5 just for signing up.

You will receive the bonus money within 72 hours of registration and verification. Please note that the bonus dollars are not available for immediate withdrawal, but can be used to enter paid contests on FanDuel.

An additional $5 bonus is then made available after you make your first deposit.

No FanDuel DFS promo code is needed for these promotions. In order to take advantage of the bonus offers, simply create a new account using this link from our FanDuel DFS review.

FanDuel DFS Promo Code 2021

One additional note: FanDuel offers beginner contests for inexperienced players. Only those who have yet to play a certain amount of paid contests are eligible to enter.

For example, there are contests labeled “NFL Beginner Double-Ups” at different price points. In these contests, you need to post a score that’s better than more than half of the field to double the entry fee.

Download the FanDuel DFS app

In addition to the online platform, FanDuel’s DFS app is available for iPhone, iPad and Android mobile devices. Each version is available for download via the FanDuel website or in your device’s app store.

With the FanDuel DFS app, you can gain access to all of the same functions as you can on your computer. The app is optimized to run in a condensed format. The interface is easy to use, and it’s simple to navigate around.

Making deposits and receiving withdrawals works great on mobile, as does editing lineups or entering contests. In fact, filtering contests on the mobile product is even more efficient.

While it’s not hard to find what you are looking for on the browser version, the mobile platform allows you to search in-depth.

For example, if you’re interested in NBA contests of a particular type at a specific buy-in point, it only takes a few clicks and swipes to populate your screen with your choices.

Keep in mind that FanDuel provides an app for its sports betting product, too, so be sure to download the one specific to DFS.

How to sign up at FanDuel DFS

After you click on our exclusive link to access your free $5, you’ll arrive at a new page. Click the green “Join Now” button to start the sign-up process.

First, it will prompt you for a screen name, password and email address. For the next step, you’ll need to enter your name, address and date of birth.

You need to be 18 years or older to play on FanDuel, and at least 21 if you’re in Massachusetts.

Also, you must be in a state in which it’s legal to play on FanDuel. We’ll go through the legal states in a bit; however, know for now that it’s legal and available to play in the majority of the United States.

Once you have the basics completed, you’ll accept the privacy policy and terms and conditions. From this point, your account will be created right away.

You can browse around the lobby and check out the contests to get started. Now you can make your first deposit and take advantage of our exclusive bonus offer.

Join Fanduel DFS Here and Get $5 Free on Signup and $5 with First Deposit!

Where can I play FanDuel in the US?

It’s legal to play real money contests on FanDuel in most of the US, but it’s still off the table in a number of states.

Here’s the current list of states where Fanduel DFS is not legal:

• Arizona
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Louisiana
• Montana
• Nevada
• Texas
• Washington state

Alabama and Iowa have both recently passed legislation to allow DFS, so it probably won’t be too long before FanDuel is up and running there.

FanDuel provides a full breakdown of eligibility requirements via the clickable “Terms of Use” link, which is at the bottom of the main website.

What DFS sports can I play at FanDuel?

When DFS was first introduced, it revolved around the primary North American sports leagues: NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB. Fast-forward to today, and DFS contests are available for nearly every major sport.

Here’s a list of what you’ll find on FanDuel:

• NFL
• NBA
• NHL
• Soccer
• College basketball
• College football playoffs
• Golf
• Tennis
• NASCAR
• WNBA

The major team sports are still the most popular on FanDuel; however, individual sports, such as golf, have quite a following, too. In addition to offering DFS contests in various sports, FanDuel also has partnerships with the NBA and NHL, as well as with several professional sports teams in all the major leagues.

FanDuel free contests

In addition to paid contests, FanDuel offers some free to play games that give you the chance to win real money prizes. Many of them revolve around the most prominent events on the yearly sports calendar.

When it’s time for the Super Bowl, FanDuel offers “Big Game Bingo,” which is a take on the traditional Super Bowl squares contest.

Entry cards automatically fill out as events happen in real-time on the field. Those who earn bingo on their game cards are eligible for prizes.

During March Madness, FanDuel offers a free “Bracket Pick’em” challenge. Pools for the NCAA basketball tournament are quite popular, and FanDuel provides an easy way for you to play and track your picks with a chance to win.

From time to time, the company will also offer a free-to-play “Home Run Challenge.” You simply select three hitters and earn a point for each home run they hit; most homers win. Those with the best scores will split the daily prize.

In addition, FanDuel offers regular free contests like monthly free rolls.

You can earn entry into these contests based on how much you played in the preceding months. Be on the lookout for notifications from FanDuel to see your qualifying level.

Join Fanduel DFS Here and Get $5 Free on Signup and $5 with First Deposit!

What games can I play on FanDuel?

When DFS began, the format was generally the same across the industry. Users picked their lineup for the day’s games while adhering to specific positions and staying under the salary cap.

The classic format remains in place, but there have been several innovations over the years. FanDuel is one of the leaders on that front.

In the lobby, you’ll find many game types available to play for each sport that is in season.

Here are the main types of contests you’ll find when you play on FanDuel:

• 50/50s and double-ups
• Beat the score
• Guaranteed prize pool (GPP) tournaments
• Head to heads
• Leagues
• Multipliers
• Qualifiers
• Showdowns

Also, there are variations in each of the sports available.

For example, the classic DFS format remains the most popular for the NFL, but you can also find differing contests such as “SuperFlex” or “3-Man.”

What are the best FanDuel games for beginners?

Beginner contests on FanDuel are reserved for players who have yet to play 50 contests on the platform. They’re a great way to get your feet wet without squaring off with those who are more experienced.

There are beginner contests for 50/50s, double-ups and tournaments. Also, some contests carry the label EPE, which stands for experienced players excluded.

When first starting, it makes sense to take advantage of these offerings.

Beyond the contests that are exclusive to new players, there are contests to help them grow their skillset, too.

For example, there are single-game DFS contests on FanDuel for all of the major sports.

Instead of building your lineup from all of the athletes and games, these contests revolve around only one game. You can get a feel for lineup building and which athletes perform well in certain situations in a condensed setting.

Research and getting a grasp on how to choose among the athletes on a big slate are part of the learning curve on FanDuel, but this is a way to help speed things up slightly.

Can I play against my friends on FanDuel?

If you’re interested in playing DFS but want to play with family and friends, you can have the best of both worlds.

“FanDuel Friends” mode allows you to set up private leagues to compete against those you wish.

There’s a clickable link on top of the main website labeled “Friends,” which tells you all you need to know. You can set up a league with as few as three people, and also customize the entry fee and payouts.

If you’re looking to play with others who have yet to sign up for FanDuel, you can send them through our exclusive links so they can take advantage of the $5 free bonus offer.

FanDuel championships

One of the ways that FanDuel made a name for itself in DFS was via its championship events. These are contests that users gain entry to by winning qualifying tournaments.

FanDuel goes all out and puts on prodigious tournaments. Qualifying players earn a trip to the event’s host city. While there, users will have quite the experience, all of which culminates with a live final event.

In recent years, FanDuel has added an online championship final event for qualifying users. Here’s what the company has in store for its fantasy football championships for 2020:

• World Fantasy Football Championship Live Final: This year’s edition will be in Puerto Rico. There are 80 qualifiers in total, each of whom will get a trip for two and a four-night stay. The top prize is $500,000, and even the last-place finisher walks away with $10,000.
• World Fantasy Football Championship Fan Championship: This is an online final which follows the same qualifier setup. The top prize is $1 million; the top 3,085 finishers cash out with the lowest prize of $400.

Qualifying for either of these tournaments won’t be easy. The spots are highly coveted, so all of the qualifier tournaments are highly competitive. In short, you need a lineup that knocks it out of the park.

When building your lineup, you’ll naturally need as many high-upside performers as possible. However, you’ll also need some under-the-radar athletes who have the potential to go off. Lower-owned players can make a big difference on the leaderboard when they outperform expectations.

Some users like to attack qualifying tournaments with multiple entries to cover as many bases as possible. Others prefer to focus all of their efforts on building out a single optimal lineup.

Regardless of which approach you prefer, the effort proves to be well worth it when you qualify for one of the final events.

Qualify for the FanDuel NFL Championship Right Here and Get $5 Free

FanDuel rules and scoring

The scoring system on FanDuel mirrors both traditional fantasy sports and what you will find elsewhere in the DFS industry. The same applies to roster construction, but there are some nuances to keep in mind.

If we look at the NBA as an example, the lineup requirements on FanDuel in the traditional format calls for nine players spread out across the traditional positions:

• Point guard (PG)
• Shooting guard (SG)
• Small forward (SF)
• Power forward (PF)
• Center (C)

On other DFS sites, there’s a flex position involved. As for scoring for the NBA, it’s quite similar in many cases, but there are differences.

FanDuel awards:

• 1.5 points for assists
• 1.2 points for rebounds
• 3 points for steals
• 3 points for blocks
• -1 for turnovers

Small differences like these can add up quickly during a DFS contest, and also impact which athletes are most valuable while constructing rosters.

You can find a complete list of rules and scoring in the “Help” section. Details on individual contests are in the lobby.

FanDuel rewards

FanDuel users earn rewards for frequent play. For each contest you play on FanDuel, you’ll earn points. As points accumulate, you can redeem them for entry into real contests.

The breakdown is five points for each $1 played. If you play at a high volume, these points can add up quickly; however, it’ll take some time to accumulate enough for casual players.

FanDuel often runs promotions with special contests that award extra points. It also hosts monthly free contests depending on the frequency of play. The more you play, the more you earn.

Keep an eye for notifications from FanDuel to see what you have earned when free contests are released.

New at FanDuel

While FanDuel is one of the top operators in DFS, it doesn’t mean the company rests on its laurels. It continually tweaks and enhances its games to provide even more.

Among the recent improvements is enhanced live scoring. While contests generally update quickly as the action unfolds in real-time, improvements give an even more seamless experience.

FanDuel also offers enhanced research tools, which you can find on the website and mobile app.

For example, “Guru Suggestions” are available on the lineup building page.

If you’ve nearly completed your lineup and are unsure about a position or two, the guru can help you fill in the gaps with optimized suggestions based on your available salary cap.

The style of contests on DFS platforms has changed considerably throughout the years. The traditional format ruled the day in the early years, but there have been intriguing enhancements since then. FanDuel has been on board with those changes and now offers micro contests for quarters and halves of games.

How does FanDuel pay out?

The cashier button on FanDuel is in the upper right corner on the online platform. You can expand it from the drop-down menu on the mobile app. In both cases, depositing and withdrawing funds is a seamless experience.

To deposit funds, you have the option of using:

Fanduel Withdrawal Limit Contribution

• Credit cards
• Online banking
• PayPal

For withdrawing funds, you can select:

• Check request
• Online banking
• PayPal

Deposits process instantly; however, withdrawals take longer to process.

Users can expect a PayPal or online banking withdrawal to process in two to three business days; a check can take between seven to 10 business days. Moving funds in and out of your FanDuel account is a hassle-free experience.

The minimum deposit amount on FanDuel is $10, and the maximum amount is $10,000.

Join Fanduel DFS Here and Get $5 Free on Signup and $5 with First Deposit!

FanDuel’s sportsbook and racebook

As the legalization of sports betting is being hammered out across the US, FanDuel continues to spread its wings. The company hit the ground running when sports betting became legal in the US. There are now FanDuel Sportsbooks available for real money betting in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Indiana.

DFS and sports betting have a similar user base, so there’s a natural crossover between them. While vastly different endeavors from a top-down level, there are similarities between the two.

For example, a strong research base on either side can translate well into research for the other. In DFS, there are vital statistics that help to point out matchup inefficiencies and the potential for positive outcomes. The same is true for sports betting, both at the whole-team level and for individual player props.

If you’re in a state with legalized sports betting and you bring some DFS experience to the table, you can focus on specific bets to help acclimate you. Prop bets are wagers based on events that may or may not happen in the confines of the game.

An example would be whether or not an NBA player will score a projected amount of points in that night’s game. For DFS, you’re already hunting for players who may have good nights or bad nights. The skillset transfers well for prop betting, which makes it a great place to start for DFS players looking to break into sports betting.

In addition to a sportsbook, users will find a link for a racebook on FanDuel.

Clicking on that will bring you to TVG, which is one of the largest and most trusted horse racing betting sites in the US. FanDuel and TVG are both a part of the Flutter Entertainment family.

While it may seem like there’s a world of difference between DFS, sports betting and horse racing, all three endeavors require similar attributes for success. Research, practice, and persistence are on the list, and mastering all three will help you succeed in all three areas.

‘The Duel’

As the DFS industry has grown, the wealth of information available relating to it has grown immensely, as well. There is a plethora of websites and blogs devoted to DFS content, ranging from advice to news.

FanDuel’s in-house offering does a thorough job of keeping players informed. “The Duel” is charged with current and relevant sports content from a DFS and betting perspective.

You’ll find advice on setting your lineups, tips for DFS success and quick videos on topics that are moving the needle in the world of sports.

As you enter the world of DFS or online sports betting, “The Duel” is worth taking the time to check out.

FanDuel responsible gaming and account security

FanDuel aims to keep users in the fold for as long as possible.

To that end, they want you to have an enjoyable experience. Along with its great platform for DFS, FanDuel stays on top of serious issues related to the overall experience.

Support and help are readily accessible on both the online and mobile platforms. Among the options is a live chat feature. The reps are responsive and professional, and they’ll do their best to answer your questions quickly and point you in the right direction.

Beyond support, FanDuel encourages responsible play. The company hosts a dedicated section for customers to set limits or even take a break if they feel the need.

FanDuel also prioritizes account security and safety. If you click on the responsible play feature, noted with an “RP,” you’ll see a full outline of FanDuel’s tenets on trust and safety.

It’s little things like this that help to set companies apart. FanDuel remains among the leaders in DFS for a reason.

FanDuel + Flutter + NBA + NHL

Since its debut in what was then a niche industry, the growth of FanDuel has been phenomenal. From once being an outsider of the overall sports landscape, FanDuel has deals in place with the NBA and NHL, and numerous individual pro sports teams.

FanDuel is now part of Flutter Entertainment. While the company has expanded its reach into the world of legalized sports betting, its focus on DFS hasn’t changed.

Scores of experienced users continue to regard FanDuel as their preferred destination to play DFS. New DFS users are signing up every day.

FanDuel FAQ

Who owns FanDuel?

FanDuel was initially a privately held entity. Paddy Power Betfair acquired it in 2018. It’s now under the Flutter Entertainment umbrella, which was created by the merger of Paddy Power and Betfair.

Is FanDuel easier than DraftKings?

The two companies are similar; however, they are plenty different. They are both industry leaders in DFS, but there are unique features to both platforms, such as scoring nuances, game types and roster requirements. Generally, games are pretty comparable, but you will find some easier games at FanDuel.

How do I win on FanDuel?

There is no magic answer for success on FanDuel. Patience, practice and persistence can help lead you to success. Also, a little bit of luck is necessary for winning the biggest tournaments.

There are numerous strategies you can employ in a bid to find more success, so it’s sometimes a matter of finding what works best for you.

Is FanDuel legal?

Yes, it’s legal to play on FanDuel in most of the US, except for the following: Alabama, Arizona, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, Texas and Washington state. Alabama and Iowa have recently passed laws permitting DFS, so FanDuel may debut in those locales before too long.

Does playing on FanDuel cost money?

You can play free games on FanDuel (and win real cash), but most games do require a fee to play. Those fees can be minimal, however. DFS contests on FanDuel can have entry fees ranging from $1 up to $10,000. Most contests run well below $50.

How old do I have to be to play on FanDuel?

You must be 18 years of age or older to play on FanDuel, except if you live in Massachusetts, in which case you need to be at least 21.

What is EPE on FanDuel?

EPE stands for experienced players excluded. FanDuel provides several options for new users to play against other inexperienced users, including this one.

How do I import lineups into FanDuel?

On the desktop version of FanDuel, users will find an “Upload Lineups Form CSV” link for uploading of multiple lineups. There’s also an import lineup link for users who want to enter a previously entered lineup into additional contests.

What is “FanDuel Survivor?”

“FanDuel Survivor” is a contest that FanDuel runs for NFL seasons. You pick one team to win each week. Teams can only be selected once per season. Those who are correct advance, while incorrect answers result in elimination.