District Of Columbia - Jury Duty Compensation

In District Of Columbia, jurors receive nominal compensation for each day spent at jury selection, or while serving on a jury. Jurors can also qualify to receive mileage reimbursement for travel related to their jury duty service.

Notes: In the District of Columbia, milage is considered to be a part of per diem payments.

A juror serving in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia will be paid an attendance fee of $30 for each day of actual attendance at the place of trial or hearing. No compensation for those summoned but not serving. Jurors employed by a federal, state, or local government or by a private employer who pays regular compensation during the period of jury service shall not receive attendance fee.

Maximum allowance for travel is $2.00 per diem.

Juror pay is typically a token amount, set by state or local law decades ago, and is often very low due to not being not adjusted for inflation or rising costs of living.

In addition to your pay, you will generally be reimbursed for costs associated with serving as a juror, including parking, tolls, and if necessary, overnight accommodations during multi-day trials away from your home. The courthouse will often provide refreshments and meals during the trial to permit jurors to continue deliberations without leaving.

Does My Employer Pay Me For Jury Duty?

In most states, your employer will be required to give you unpaid time off for jury duty, while in some states employers are required to pay employees for time served on a jury. Your employer may also elect to pay you for time served on a jury even if they are not required to, though many may then require you to sign over your jury duty paycheck. Click here for more info on your employer's jury duty obligations in District Of Columbia.

Is District Of Columbia Jury Duty Pay Taxable?

While jury duty pay in District Of Columbia won't add up to much, the IRS considers it to be taxable income. Sometimes the court will send you a 1099-G or 1099-MISC form with your jury duty payment, other times you won't receive a 1099. Mileage reimbursements, and jury duty pay that you signed over to your employer, are not taxable. You may also be able to claim tax deductions for unreimbursed mileage or expenses incurred during the course of your jury duty service.