Filing Your Taxes As A Pro Bettor With CPA Zak Zimbile
Dec 20, 2023
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Professional CPA Zak Zimbile and Gina Fiore discuss tax filing for professional sports bettors, emphasizing the benefits of using Schedule C, maximizing deductions, managing expenses, and separating personal and gambling finances. They also touch on retirement contributions, audit risks, and the importance of honesty in bank account applications for gambling businesses.
Filing taxes as a pro bettor involves comparing hobby vs. business income with IRS guidelines, and filing self-employed with Schedule C for potential benefits.
Documenting business expenses, separating personal and business finances, and responding to IRS notices can decrease audit risk for professional gamblers.
Deep dives
Understanding the Guidelines for Filing as a Professional Gambler
The IRS has guidelines that compare hobby income to business income, which can be applied to recreational and professional gamblers. These guidelines consider factors such as the amount of time spent gambling, treating it like a business, demonstrating expertise, and intent to be profitable. Filing as a professional can involve filing as self-employed and submitting a Schedule C, which shows business activities on your tax return. It is important to have good record keeping, make timely estimated tax payments, and obtain necessary local or state business licenses.
Benefits of Filing a Schedule C as a Professional Gambler
Filing as a professional gambler through a Schedule C can lower your adjusted gross income, allowing you to qualify for certain credits and keep your standard deduction without itemizing. It also enables you to contribute to retirement plans, deduct operating expenses, and potentially qualify for loans. However, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2018 limited the ability to show an operating loss, and self-employment tax is a significant drawback.
Understanding Self-Employment Tax and Increased Audit Risk
One of the major cons of filing a Schedule C is the self-employment tax, which is 15% up to a certain income threshold and an additional 3% for higher earnings. Filing self-employed also increases audit risk, as additional line items and deductions can raise red flags. Good documentation, honest reporting, and keeping personal and business expenses separate can help decrease the risk of audits.
Expenses, Decreasing Audit Risk, and Other Considerations
As a professional gambler, you can deduct ordinary and necessary business expenses from your income. Common deductions include travel expenses, equipment purchases, subscriptions, professional fees, and home office deductions. Staying organized, filing your taxes on time, and responding to any notices from the IRS are important for decreasing audit risk and avoiding penalties. Additionally, some states have specific tax rules for gamblers, while offshore gamblers may need to report foreign bank accounts.
Gina Fiore is back with professional CPA Zak Zimbile, this time to discuss how to file your taxes as a professional sports bettor.
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