All income is taxable unless a law specifically states that it isn’t.  Taxable income includes money you earn, like wages and tips. It also includes bartering, an exchange of property or services. The fair market value of property or services received is normally taxable.

Some types of income are not taxable except under certain conditions, including:

• Life insurance proceeds paid to you upon the death of an insured person are usually not taxable. However, if you redeem a life insurance policy for cash, any amount you get that is more than the cost of the policy is taxable.
• In most cases, income from a scholarship is not taxable. This includes amounts used for certain costs, such as tuition and required books. On the other hand, amounts you use for room and board are taxable.
• State or local income tax refunds may be taxable. You should receive a Form 1099-G from the agency that paid you. Report any taxable refund you got even if you did not receive Form 1099-G.

Here are some items that are usually not taxable:

• Gifts and inheritances
• Child support payments
• Welfare benefits
• Damage awards for physical injury or sickness
• Cash rebates from a dealer or manufacturer for an item you buy
• Reimbursements for qualified adoption expenses

For more information, see Publication 525, Taxable and Nontaxable Income. 

View the IRS Video:  Taxable and Nontaxable Income