<prompt> Human: As stated, I recently received a 10,000 bonus from my employer it was for achieving a certification that they had a bonus program for with the stipulation that I have to stay with the company a year or pay it back. I am not certain that I am going to stay with the company for a year, and I dont want to give them the impression that I might leave at this point so I would rather not ask them all of the details about what would happen if I left.It appears to have come with my paycheck as normal income, just a larger check this time. It looks like all normal things were withheldtaxes,401K. Even though I have a few debts nothing that I am not taking care of I have decided not spend the money until I know that I can keep it for good.I am just wondering how this will affect me financially if I leave in 2018. For tax purposes, will this mean that I made that money in 2017 and have to file a 1040x for the year of 2017 because I have to pay it back and my income for that year changed? Or will this mean I just made 10,000 more in 2017 and 10,000 less in 2018? Also, since my employer matched my 401K for this income, will I have to pay that back as well? Also, does anyone know of a good way to invest this, at least until I know I can keep it?Assistant: How about you just stay with the company for a year? You get a free 10k if you do. Just start looking for a new position around the 10 month mark if youre that set on leaving.Human: I am probably going to stay, but I am weighing my options. The big reason that I wouldnt stay is that they want me to move to a new location, and the salary bump that they offered me for that was not very large. I would get a bonus for the relocation as well, but the bonus I just mentioned has nothing to do with any relocation package.Also, I have a feeling that I might be able to get better pay in my field from another employer. I have worked for my current employer for a number of years, and I know my current base pay for my position is less than average for a person in my field with my experience.  <response>: Ive seen this happen tons of times. Literally everyone I know just negotiates with their new employer to get compensated for losing any prior bonuses. Dont sweat it - getting paid like this mostly means youre underpaid relative to the value you add or relative to the market. Take the bonus and be on the lookout anyway. Your career is a long marathon and you shouldnt hold back from great opportunities for a one time bonus. 