Traveling Athletic Trainers and Taxes

“It’s Only A Weekend” Might Not Matter and Taxes

One of the biggest misconceptions in cross state event medicine coverage:

“I was only there for a weekend, so taxes don’t apply.”

In some states, that assumption can become a problem.

Many athletic trainers work:

▪️ tournaments

▪️ camps

▪️ showcases

▪️ combat sports

▪️ youth events

▪️ seasonal PRN coverage

▪️ across multiple states each year

The challenge?

Some states tax income earned from the FIRST day worked in that state.

That means an AT could:

✅ legally practice under an interstate compact

…but still:

⚠️ owe taxes as a nonresident worker.

Most ATs were never educated on:

▪️ multi-state taxation

▪️ nonresident filing

▪️ payroll withholding

▪️ contractor compliance

▪️ or labor nexus

Because historically, these conversations were not central to athletic training education.

But interstate portability may change that rapidly.

Especially for:

▪️ PRN ATs

▪️ 1099 contractors

▪️ event coverage companies

▪️ tournament staffing agencies

▪️ telehealth follow-up models

▪️ traveling sports medicine providers

The profession may need to evolve from:

“Can we staff the event?”

to also asking:

“Are we operationally compliant in every state we work?”

That’s a very different conversation.

DISCLAIMER - This is not legal or tax advice. Every state has different laws and requirements. Please seek a tax professional for more support and information.

This is a conversation I think the profession needs to start having more openly