Tips for taxpayers who make money from a hobby

Many people enjoy hobbies that are also a source of income. From painting and pottery to scrap-booking and soap making, these activities can be sources of both fun and finances. Taxpayers who make money from a hobby must report that income on their tax return.
 
However, the rules for how to report the income and expenses depend on whether the activity is a hobby or a business.
 
There are special rules and limits for deductions taxpayers can claim for hobbies. Here are five things to consider:
 
If the activity is a business or a hobby. 
If someone has a business, they operate the business to make a profit. In contrast, people engage in a hobby for sport or recreation, not to make a profit. Taxpayers should consider the nine factors that follow, when determining whether their activity is a business or a hobby. They should base their determination on all the facts and circumstances of their activity.You must generally consider these factors in determining whether an activity is a business engaged in making a profit:

• Whether you carry on the activity in a businesslike manner and maintain complete and accurate books and records.
• Whether the time and effort you put into the activity indicate you intend to make it profitable.
• Whether you depend on income from the activity for your livelihood.
• Whether your losses are due to circumstances beyond your control (or are normal in the startup phase of your type of business).
• Whether you change your methods of operation in an attempt to improve profitability.
• Whether you or your advisers have the knowledge needed to carry on the activity as a successful business.
• Whether you were successful in making a profit in similar activities in the past.
• Whether the activity makes a profit in some years and how much profit it makes.
• Whether you can expect to make a future profit from the appreciation of the assets used in the activity.

 
Allowable hobby deductions. 
Taxpayers can only deduct ordinary and necessary hobby expenses:

• Ordinary expense is common and accepted for the activity.
• Necessary expense is appropriate for the activity.

Limits on hobby expenses. 
Taxpayers can generally only deduct hobby expenses up to the amount of hobby income. If hobby expenses are more than its income, taxpayers have a loss from the activity. However, a hobby loss can't be deducted from other income.
 
How to deduct hobby expenses. 
Taxpayers must itemize deductions on their tax return to deduct hobby expenses. Taxpayers can look into this now to determine if they will itemize their deductions when they file their 2019 tax return next year. Expenses may fall into three types of deductions, and special rules apply to each type.
 
Use IRS Free File. 
Hobby rules can be complex. IRS Free File can make filing a tax return easier.
 
More Information:
Publication 334, Tax Guide for Small Business
Publication 525, Taxable and Nontaxable Income
Publication 529, Miscellaneous Deductions
Publication 535, Business Expenses 
Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax
About Schedule C, Profit or Loss from Business
Estimated Taxes 
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The tax information contained in this site is of a general nature and should not be acted upon in your specific situation without further details and/or professional assistance.
 
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145 Tower Drive, Suite 4
Burr Ridge, IL 60527
Phone (630) 320-3720

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