So, you have a business and use the loss to reduce your wage or other income? Not so fast, it may just be a hobby....”you can’t do that....”!

IRS Tax Tip 2017-80, November 21, 2017

From scrapbooking to glass blowing, many Americans enjoy hobbies that are also a source of income. A taxpayer must report income on their tax return even if it is made from a hobby.

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:

Determine 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 nine factors when determining whether their activity is a business or a hobby, and base their determination on all the facts and circumstances of their activity. For more about ‘not-for-profit’ rules, see Publication 535, Business Expenses.
Allowable hobby deductions. Taxpayers can usually deduct ordinary and necessary hobby expenses within certain limits:
- 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. Expenses may fall into three types of deductions, and special rules apply to each type. See Publication 535 for the rules about how to claim them on Schedule A, Itemized Deductions.
Use IRS Free File. Hobby rules can be complex, and IRS Free File can make filing a tax return easier.

Additional IRS Resources: