<prompt> Human: Hi rpersonalfinance! I am a graduating college senior who has a shaky understanding of taxes, and just received a job offer, which includes a signing bonus. The company told me that the signing bonus would be paid after my first 2 paychecks; my concern is about taxation of the signing bonus under these circumstances:The only income I had this past year was over a summer internship I made about 15k total over the internship, and if I receive part of the signing bonus now, I figure I may be taxed at a lower rate since Im still a student... is this correct? If so, how would I calculate how I would be taxed on the signing bonus if I received some of it now vs receiving it in lump sum after I start?  <response>: When will you start and when will you receive the signing bonus? The only thing that matters is the year - as long as you receive the full bonus in 2016 it doesnt matter if you receive it now or later. 