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Whats the difference between a hobby and a business?

If you collect coins and do not plan on burying them with you, you will sell some along the way


what's the difference between a hobby and a business?
and aren't all collecting hobbys with money/assets involved actually businesses (even though many have little chance of making money, some collecting hobbies can) ?


this is a question I have after reading the 1099's threads replies

Comments

  • illini420illini420 Posts: 11,467 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The IRS released this info last summer, as you can see, there isn't a clear line between hobby and business:



    Summertime Tax Tip 2009-18

    Summer is a time many Americans take their fishing poles and gardening tools out of storage. Hobbies – such as woodworking, stamp collecting and scrapbooking – are often done for pleasure, but can result in a profit.

    If your favorite activity does make a profit every year or so, there may be tax implications. You must report income to the IRS from almost all sources, including hobbies.

    Here are eight questions that will help determine if your activity is a hobby or a business.

    Is the purpose of your activity to make a profit? Generally, your activity is considered a business if it is carried on with the reasonable expectation of earning a profit.
    Do you participate in your activity just for fun? Hobbies – also called not-for-profit activities – are those activities that are not pursued for profit.
    Do you depend on income from the activity? If so, your activity is likely considered a business.
    Have you changed methods of operation to improve profitability? If so, your hobby may actually be a business.
    Do you have the knowledge needed to carry on the activity as a successful business? People who carry out hobbies just for fun, often don’t have the business acumen to turn their not-for-profit activity into a profitable business venture.
    Have you made a profit in similar activities in the past? This may indicate your activity is a business rather than a not-for-profit hobby. An activity is presumed carried on for profit if it makes a profit in at least three of the last five tax years, including the current year – or at least two of the last seven years for activities that consist primarily of breeding, showing, training or racing horses.
    Does the activity make a profit in some years? Even if your activity does not make a profit every year, it still may be considered a business.
    Do you expect to make a profit in the future from the appreciation of assets used in the activity? This indicates your activity may be a business rather than a hobby.
    If your activity is not carried on for profit, allowable deductions cannot exceed the gross receipts for the activity. If you are conducting a trade or business you may deduct your ordinary and necessary expenses.

    More information about not-for-profit activities is available in Publication 535, Business Expenses, available on the IRS.gov Web site or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).


  • BAJJERFANBAJJERFAN Posts: 31,402 ✭✭✭✭✭
    It looks like even at the hobby level that one can deduct the expenses of going to a show if one buys a coin there and later sells it for a profit.
    theknowitalltroll;
  • 2manycoins2fewfunds2manycoins2fewfunds Posts: 3,039 ✭✭✭
    This part applies most directly to coin collecting..............

    "Do you expect to make a profit in the future from the appreciation of assets used in the activity? This indicates your activity may be a business rather than a hobby. "
  • shorecollshorecoll Posts: 5,447 ✭✭✭✭✭
    My accountant used to tell me that if you had shown a profit in 3 consecutive years it was a business, likewise if you had a business and showed losses in three consecutive years, IRS would redefine you as a hobby or you had to jump through hoops to prove it wasn't. I don't know if this is official or not.
    ANA-LM, NBS, EAC
  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,627 ✭✭✭✭✭
    If you get a 1099, it's a business. Then you can write off the fishing trip and all the miles in between you and the dealer who you sold your coin to. Don't forget your fishing license. You'll need that for reporting the lunker you caught to the Game & Parks Commission when the newspaper runs a story about it.

    Now if you forget your license, almost catch a fish, get ripped at the dealer and don't get a 1099, it's a hobby.

    edited for referencing

    Re: " Summertime Tax Tip 2009-18

    Summer is a time many Americans take their fishing poles and gardening tools out of storage. Hobbies – such as woodworking, stamp collecting and scrapbooking – are often done for pleasure, but can result in a profit.

    If your favorite activity does make a profit every year or so, there may be tax implications..."
  • IGWTIGWT Posts: 4,975
    -- what's the difference between a hobby and a business? --

    Business - hobby = deduction.
  • Hobby you spend money
    Business you make money
  • BaseballAbsBaseballAbs Posts: 2,621
    If it's making you money its a buisness, if your loosing money its a hobbyimage
    Winner of the "You Suck!" award March 17, 2010 by LanLord, doh, 123cents and Bear.
  • LongacreLongacre Posts: 16,717 ✭✭✭
    What's with all of the tax law threads lately? Perhaps Longacre should start a thread discussing the nuances of Subpart F income and deferral regimes under the Internal Revenue Code? image
    Always took candy from strangers
    Didn't wanna get me no trade
    Never want to be like papa
    Working for the boss every night and day
    --"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
  • MikeInFLMikeInFL Posts: 10,188 ✭✭✭✭
    One word: Profit
    Collector of Large Cents, US Type, and modern pocket change.
  • OnlyGoldIsMoneyOnlyGoldIsMoney Posts: 3,434 ✭✭✭✭✭
    In my business I make money. With my hobby I try not to lose too much money.
  • BroadstruckBroadstruck Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Relaxation vs Headaches image

    image
    To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
  • BarryBarry Posts: 10,100 ✭✭✭


    << <i>What's with all of the tax law threads lately? Perhaps Longacre should start a thread discussing the nuances of Subpart F income and deferral regimes under the Internal Revenue Code? image >>


    Please don't. I'm having enough trouble staying awake, as it is.
  • ElcontadorElcontador Posts: 7,700 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The reasonable expectation of a profit, coupled with conducting such activity as a business has won a few court cases or IRS has acquiesced over the years. The problem is that in each case, the process went on for years. As a CPA for 30 years plus, I make a point of avoiding these situations because there's no way I can make any money representing clients in these scenarios.
    "Vou invadir o Nordeste,
    "Seu cabra da peste,
    "Sou Mangueira......."
  • MsMorrisineMsMorrisine Posts: 36,081 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>What's with all of the tax law threads lately? Perhaps Longacre should start a thread discussing the nuances of Subpart F income and deferral regimes under the Internal Revenue Code? image >>




    income and deferral schemes!?!?!

    You mean it IS possible for a corp. to book a more than $600 charge in one tax year while the selling corp. books it in a different way in another tax year???


    I can't wait for the reply!!!!

    image
    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions

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