I am on J1 visa in 6th year doing fellowship in cardiology. I have won $6,000 in a contest (not lottery). I know on J1 visa you cannot moonlight or have extra income. Now I have to give W-9 form to the website where I won't the contesta and they will report in using W-1099 misc form. My question is Am I allow to win and have this money(which is not income since I won it) on J1 visa? Will it be a problem?

Winning a contest does NOT violate your J-1 visa, so do not worry.

Further, if you have been in the U.S. for SIX years, you should have been filing as a resident alien for the last FOUR years.

You WILL have to report the price on your tax return (probably on Line #21 of Form 1040) and pay the appropriate tax.

Winnings are reported as income. Make sure it is not a scam.

Have PM'd extensively; NOT a scam.