<prompt> Human: I work in the medical field, and my job gives the option at the end of October to cash out PTO. Finances are a little tight this year because Im the only one working in my house. My husband also has a very old student loan thats down to only 3k that Im just itching to pay off. So I really want to take this cash out option, but how will this affect taxes? Will I have to pay a bunch of money when I pay taxes next year? Also will I be able to get most of the money or will it be one of those situations like winning the lottery where you only get like half of the money because its taxed so heavily? I have about 250 PTO hours and I make about 20hr. Any help is appreciated but Eli5 please im not very tax savvy. :  <response>: It will just be considered income, just like any other money your job pays you. It MIGHT get taxed a little heavier than normal because it will give you an extra large 1 time paycheck. However it all balances out when you file your taxes. 