Arbiter Mandate

[Rich]

I dream of the day when all of our conferences and sports use one system for assigning. As it is now, some use Arbiter, some use rSchool, some use RefRanking/Athletix, and some still send out paper contracts.

I'd be happy to move everything to Arbiter -- would be the best thing ever for us.

[bob jenkins]

I agree that the multiple systems is a pain. But, I'd rather move everything off the arbiter than on to it.

[ronny mulkey]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

I agree that the multiple systems is a pain. But, I'd rather move everything off the arbiter than on to it.

Bob,

Any experiences you care to share?

Some older assignors do not have a computer or know how one works from my experiences

[Andy]

Do you remember about 10 years ago or so, the IRS started going after individuals who made tips as a majority of their income? the IRS felt that most people were under reporting or not reporting that income at all in order not to be taxed on it.

I have heard that the IRS has now turned an eye toward sports officials. There is pressure on officials organizations and state HS governing bodies to account for the payments to officials. In the past, it was "pick up a check or cash as you arrived for your assignment." I only got a 1099 if I was over the $600 limit from one school district.

As of three years ago here, all HS officiating payments are going through RefPay....now I get a 1099 for all of the HS officiating that I did the previous year.

Centralized officiating payment systems are the way it is going.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by Andy

Centralized officiating payment systems are the way it is going.

If it streamlines the process and gets me paid quicker, fine by me!

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Welpe

If it streamlines the process and gets me paid quicker, fine by me!

Other than saving a day or two in the mail, I can't say I've seen a marked time savings.

[Andy]

Originally Posted by Welpe

If it streamlines the process and gets me paid quicker, fine by me!

When RefPay was implemented for HS games in my area, we went from getting a check or cash at the game site to having to wait for 1 - 3 days for the money to hit RefPay, then another 2-5 days to transfer it to my bank account.

So, for us, it extends the time it takes to get paid.

[BayStateRef]

Originally Posted by Andy

Do you remember about 10 years ago or so, the IRS started going after individuals who made tips as a majority of their income? the IRS felt that most people were under reporting or not reporting that income at all in order not to be taxed on it.

I have heard that the IRS has now turned an eye toward sports officials. There is pressure on officials organizations and state HS governing bodies to account for the payments to officials. In the past, it was "pick up a check or cash as you arrived for your assignment." I only got a 1099 if I was over the $600 limit from one school district.

I have heard this too...and I think it is going to change the landscape for a lot of sports officials. I have heard from volunteers who run local leagues for basketball, baseball, softball and football that they are under increasing scrutiny from the IRS and have to start issuing 1099s.

I know one league that started this a couple of years ago and subsequently lost a bunch of officials who did not want any "proof" of income. The head of one small baseball league told me his organization paid $24,000 to umpires last year...but the paperwork burden to him and the treasurer to be in full compliance will be large. (They used to pay cash at the field.)

I know far more officials who work for cash and never report their income than I know those who report every penny, but also keep records to offset that income with legal deductions.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by BayStateRef

I know far more officials who work for cash and never report their income than I know those who report every penny, but also keep records to offset that income with legal deductions.

Then you know a lot of criminals.

As I'm sure you know, ALL income, even if it is cash or if no 1099 is issued is taxable income. The $600 limit for 1099's has nothing to do with whether the income is supposed to be taxable, just that the paying organization need not incur the overhead of having to create the 1099 document.

Those skipping out on their taxes like this are just stealing from the rest who properly report their income and pay taxes on it. I'd bet that a lot of them are also the first ones to sign up for government assistance which means they're not only cheating on their taxes but obtaining income-based benefits they don't deserve, further cheating those that pay their taxes and taking limited resource benefits from those that actually deserve them.They probably also are the first to vote to raise taxes on those actually reporting income so that they can get more from those government programs.

If they're not doing it to skip on taxes, then they're doing it to avoid paying child support for their kids....equally despicable, perhaps more.

[KJUmp]

Originally Posted by rich

i dream of the day when all of our conferences and sports use one system for assigning. As it is now, some use arbiter, some use rschool, some use refranking/athletix, and some still send out paper contracts.

I'd be happy to move everything to arbiter -- would be the best thing ever for us.

+1.

[JetMetFan]

Originally Posted by Rich

I dream of the day when all of our conferences and sports use one system for assigning. As it is now, some use Arbiter, some use rSchool, some use RefRanking/Athletix, and some still send out paper contracts.

I'd be happy to move everything to Arbiter -- would be the best thing ever for us.

I share your dream. I have to keep an eye on:
*Arbiter (NCAAW & NJ HS)
*Reftown (NYC GV)
*Presto (NCAAW)
*email (NYC BV)

Somehow I have avoided double-booking anyone (knock wood).