If your friends want to deduct their payment to you as an expense of their business, they are allowed to because you performed services for the business and they paid you. This means that the money is taxable to you as self-employment income. You will need to fill out a Schedule C with your tax return to show the money you got and to deduct any expenses you had in order to perform your services. If you had to drive somewhere or buy something in order to earn the money, then those costs are deductible on your 1040, Sch C.You will also have to pay Social Security and Medicare tax on the u201cnet incomeu201d shown on your Schedule C. Part of these taxes will also be deductible on your 1040.If you do not pay taxes on it (i.e. treat it as a gift from friends), then your friends cannot deduct it against their business income. Check with them before you decide.Your friends may also send you a 1099-Misc form, which means you must report the income or receive a letter from the IRS. 1099 forms are mailed out at the end of January the year after the money was earned. So if you worked in October of 2023. expect a 1099 form in early February 2023. The taxes on the money will vary according to your income, but you should retain about 25% to pay the taxes.