Can I Write Off Casino Losses
- Can I Write Off Gambling Losses
- Can You Write Off Gambling Loss
- Can You Write Off Gambling Losses In 2018
- Can I Write Off Gambling Losses In 2019
The IRS does let you deduct gambling losses from gambling winnings, though. Youcan’t deduct more than your winnings, of course, the IRS isn’t that stupid.You can’t say you won $1,000 and lost $5,000, for a net loss of $4,000. Gambling Loss Limitation. You can't deduct more in gambling losses than you have in gambling winnings for the year. For example, suppose you reported $13,000 in gambling winnings on Line 21 of.
We doubt that anyone ever woke up thinking, “Gee, I hope I get audited by the IRS this year”. An IRS audit could easily be one of the worst things that could happen to you this year. So if you want to avoid receiving that ominous letter from the IRS that your 2015 tax return is being audited here are seven red flags you need to totally avoid.
Not reporting all of your taxable income
Those 1099’s and W-2s you received this past January? You weren’t the only one that got them. The IRS got them too. It’s important to make sure you report all of the required income on your return. The computers used by the IRS are pretty darn good at matching the numbers on your return with the numbers on your 1099s and W-2s. If they turn up a mismatch this will create a red flag and the IRS computers will spit out a bill. If those darn computers do make a mistake and you receive a tax form that shows income that wasn’t yours or lists incorrect amounts of income, you will need to get the issuer to file the correct form with the IRS. And what about that income you earned on those side jobs? In most cases you should have received a 1099 documenting your earnings. If not, this is definitely a case where it’s better to be safe than sorry and report it.
Taking deductions that are higher than average
If the IRS spots deductions on your return that are disproportionately large in comparison with your income, it may pull your return for review. For example, a very large medical expense –again out of proportion to your income – could cause a red flag. However, if you do have the documentation to support the deduction then don’t be afraid to claim it.
Claiming really big charitable deductions
Charitable deductions can be a great write off. Plus, when you contribute to a charity it can make you feel all fuzzy and warm inside. However, if those deductions are disproportionately large in comparison with your income, it will raise a red flag. The reason for this is because the IRS knows what is the average charitable deduction for people at your level of income. Did you donate some very valuable property? In this case we hope you got an appraisal for it. Did you make a non-cash donation over $500? Then you better make sure you file form 8283. if you don’t file this form or if you don’t have an appraisal supporting that big donation you’ll become an even bigger target for auditing.
Claiming big gambling losses or not reporting gambling winnings
If you’re a recreational gambler you must report your winnings as “other income” on the front page of your 1040 form. If you’re a professional gambler you will need to report your winnings on Schedule C. If you don’t report gambling winnings this can draw the attention of the IRS – especially in the event that the casino or other venue reported your winnings on form W-2G. It can also be very risky to claim big gambling losses. In fact, what you should do is deduct your losses only to the extent that you report your gambling winnings. For example, if you were to report you had won $5000 gambling but had losses of $20,000, this could cause a red flag. Also, only professional gamblers can write off the costs of meals, lodging and other expenses related to gambling. And the surest way to invite an audit is by writing off what you lost at gambling but no gambling income. If you’ve done any of these things, or are worried about some other common tax return mistakes, it might be wise to file an amended tax return and account for those wins or losses correctly.
Writing off a hobby as a loss
You will dramatically increase the odds of “winning” an IRS audit if you file a schedule C showing big losses from any activity that could be considered a hobby such as jewelry making, coin and stamp collecting, dog breeding, and the like. IRS agents are especially trained to ferret out people who improperly deduct losses associated with a hobby. You must report any income your hobby generated or whatever but can then deduct your expenses up to that income level. But the IRS will not allow you to write off losses from a hobby. So if you want to write off a loss you must be running your hobby as if it were a business and must have the reasonable expectation of generating a profit. As an example of how this works if your hobby generates a profit in 3 out of every 5 years then the IRS will presume that you’re actually in business to make a profit unless it can prove something to the contrary. Of course, if you’re unfortunate and win the audit lottery the IRS will make you prove that you do have a legitimate business and that it’s not just a hobby. So make sure you keep all documents that support your expenses.
If you report income from self-employment of $100,000 or more
Let’s suppose that you’re self-employed, had a really great year and had earnings of $100,000 or more you are reporting on schedule C. This is likely to trigger an IRS audit because according to the IRS people who file a schedule C are more likely to under report their income and overstate their deductions. What this means is that if you earn $100,000 or more and are reporting it on schedule C you’ll need to make sure you have the documentation necessary to support your deductions and again, make sure you report all your income very accurately.
If you work in certain industries
The IRS knows based on past audit experience that there are certain activities or industries that have a higher incidence of what’s technically called noncompliance but really means cheating on their taxes. Included in this group are the tax returns of air service operators, gas retailers, auto dealers, attorneys and taxi operators. So, if you’re employed in one of these industries or activities and don’t want to suffer an IRS audit, it’s best to follow the old adage that honesty is the best policy.
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LSU Fan
Baton Rouge, LA
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Coastal Bar
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LSU Fan
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LSU Fan
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quote:
Im not sure where in the Carribean you would pay 1000.25 per person to fly to. I did print out the booking data from delta.
Depends on the fare class of the ticket... There are more than you think
LINK
LSU Fan
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Dec 2004
49125 posts
USA Fan
The Batcave
Member since Mar 2011
10666 posts
Example:
You win $5,000 in 2012 and lose $7,500. You can only deduct $5,000 of the losses.
You win $5,0000 in 2012 and lose $4,000. You can deduct the whole $4,000 since it is less than your winnings. You would be responsible for taxes on the remaining $1,000 of you winnings.
Can I Write Off Gambling Losses
LSU Fan
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Dec 2004
49125 posts
If I had 25k in gambling losses and won a 25k MSRP car in a drawing vs 25k in gambling losses and won a 25k MSRP car at the casino slot.
Seems to be that they are not treated equally. In one case I would get to duduct but in the other case I would be stuck with the 25k income. At which I could claim FMV of the car as being around 19k instead of 25k.
Atlanta Falcons Fan
Houston
Member since Dec 2007
26665 posts
Online
quote:
What is crazy is that they valued them at 4k but they dont bother take into account that we literally had 2 days only to book
Interesting way to reduce losses by an airlines...
USA Fan
The Batcave
Member since Mar 2011
10666 posts
quote:
If I had 25k in gambling losses and won a 25k MSRP car in a drawing vs 25k in gambling losses and won a 25k MSRP car at the casino slot.
I see what you're saying and I'm not exactly sure what the IRS uses as the definition of 'gambling.' To me, it would seem that if you paid for a chance to win something, then that would be gambling. There is also the issue of people doing those sort of raffles as a charity (like St. Jude Dream Home) and then writing off the cost of the ticket as a donation. I really don't know all the ends and outs but I'm sure Poodlebrain could fill in the gaps.
Prizes and awards.
If you win a prize in a lucky number drawing, television or radio quiz program, beauty contest, or other event, you must include it in your income. For example, if you win a $50 prize in a photography contest, you must report this income on Form 1040, line 21. If you refuse to accept a prize, do not include its value in your income. Prizes and awards in goods or services must be included in your income at their fair
market value.
I think the bolded part gives you your answer - the instructions are telling you to report it on a different line than where you would report gambling losses. So I don't think you can offset.
LSU Fan
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Dec 2004
49125 posts
I also had to pay the international taxes to fly to Nassau. That is normally included in the ticket price. So Im guessing I could reduce the winnings by the 95 dollars per ticket I incured there as well since I have that documented. Likely I will just keep my printout of the real cost and use that to determine FMV.
Navy Fan
perfectanschlagen
Member since May 2008
9961 posts
You really should get contemporaneous documentation, however, as claiming something less than what is shown on the 1099 just might invite an audit. However, if you don't want to risk an audit (because you may have other 'iffy' items on your return), there is a method by which you can call the IRS and file a Form 4598 to get the prize company to issue a corrected 1099.
As far as deducting losses, you're out of luck. The IRS takes the position that sweepstakes type winning (where you don't really have to do anything but enter -- i.e., you're not putting up any of your money to get a chance to 'win') are not considered 'gambling winnings' and therefore cannot be offset by gambling losses.
LSU Fan
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Dec 2004
49125 posts
Navy Fan
perfectanschlagen
Member since May 2008
9961 posts
Can You Write Off Gambling Loss
Again, your shit-out-of-luck with the gambling losses.
Can You Write Off Gambling Losses In 2018
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