Tax Season
 

Hey Guys and Gals,

As tax season has come and is almost gone I just had a few questions for you officials and how you go about doing your taxes. I myself received two 1099's from two different schools because I worked at those places a lot during the seasons of football, softball, basketball, and now some baseball. Being that we have to claim that as income during tax time, what do you guys write off during taxes? Do you keep track of mileage? What are your expenses? Basically im trying to think of ways to save myself some money come tax time next year.(Im a college student also with another part time job, money means a lot!) Thanks in advance!

An oft asked question this time of year. Save everything - mileage receipts, expenses for uniforms, training, books, etc. I see a tax accountant and let him worry about it. :D

One sad thing about taxes is....you really find out just how little you actually make after you see how much you actually spent....

Tax Advice ...
 

My accountant asks for, and I provide, the following information: total income; total dues, fees, fines, insurance, etc.; total round trip mileage from home to all games, scrimmages, meetings, clinics, camps, etc.; total equipment purchases (uniforms, shoes, whistles, etc.), he allows me $5.00 per week for laundry.

I'll check with him to see if I missed something. I'll see him Sunday. It's visiting day at the prison. That reminds me. I need to bake a cake, and buy a file. He's a great accountant. He use to work for the firm of Cook, Books & Hyde. He recently took a position at the firm of Dewey, Cheatam & Howe.

http://www.bikernet.com/news/images/PhotoID1352.jpg

I think you can deduct massages.:D

But only if it does NOT have a happy ending, :D.

MTD, Sr.

But only if she is wear a blue dress.

You imply above that not receiving a 1099 means you don't have to claim income during tax time. If that is so, you are mistaken.

Even if you only worked once at a school and only earned $10 from them, you have to claim it on your taxes. Income is income. How much only affects when the paying party must file a 1099...not its taxibility.

That's why I got Bambi a federal tax ID number.

http://images.craveonline.com/articl...le_massage.jpg

I am pretty new to all of this. First post, have been reading for a few months.

So next year I need to claim the income on my taxes from each different school/district? Even though I only made like $1000 from games in 2009? Could the IRS audit me for this if I don't? How would the IRS even know if I made less than a couple hundred bucks at any given school and the school didn't report it?

The schools report everything, so it's a safe bet to report any income, especially if you filled out any paperwork, i.e. payment voucher, contract, or W-9.

Yes, yes and yes. As to your final question, do you really want to take the chance of winding up at Gitmo? :eek:

That's not really the question. The question is: are you OK with losing your license and never officiating again after you're convicted of felony tax evasion?

I made $8K+ officiating last year, reported all of it, and reported net income of $487 (after expenses). In 2007 I had a $900 loss, which carried over, so I'm paying no tax on my 2008 income.

If I were, the tax on that couldn't be more than $200, no matter what my bracket. If I were college-aged, the tax would probably be $0-$100. Fewer than 4 game fees, big whoop.

The risk/benefit ratio for not paying is very bad, IMO.

OK, thanks for the input guys. So I only have to claim my net income, meaning my revenue minus my expenses? What is the mileage rate given by the IRS? Also, can anyone confirm it's ok to claim camp expenses (fees, hotels, mileage, etc)?

mbyron:

How did you carry over a loss on a Schedule C from one year to the next? That is a new one to me.

MTD, Sr.

Post #19 Tax write offs The schedule C form is what needs to be filled out. Most tax programs do a fairly good job of walking you through it however. It must be noted (unless otherwise stated) that we are not tax accountants and we can't be held labile for audits here on the forum :cool: The easiest way I found it to be done is take it to a tax professional the first year. Then every year thereafter I just use that year's as a template on how to fill out the form. MTD Sr. did a great breakdown of everything in the link from last year (Thanks Mark)

As someone stated perviously, you must include ALL game fees as income. To my knowledge (or at least here in Iowa) all school report EVERY expense. They do that because they are audited every year. So if I wanted to know how much I made from a particular school, I can go on their public records website and find out through their spreadsheet. It's not worth it to get audited.

Here are the records I keep on my palm pilot (used a paper calendar before I got my palm): Contest information (site, schools, partner), round trip mileage, amount paid (contest and mileage fees), Paid or not paid, and other expenses. I also keep camp fees, hotel fees, food for overnight stays, insurance fees, licensing fees, etc as well on my palm pilot. These can all be included (see your local tax preparer for clarification). Periodically, I go through my calendar and make a handy spreadsheet for everything. Then when tax time comes around I have it all in one place.

My $0.02.

-Josh

BTW, I was wondering when this topic would surface :D

-Josh

Thanks Josh, that was a very helpful post.

Freudian slip? :D

I'm not a CPA (but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express) but my accountant deducts all those things. There are some special rules on meals and what you can deduct, if you stayed overnight, etc. I keep a log sheet in my planner and transfer it to an Excel spreadsheet and e-mail it to my account. He likes that because he can sort it, etc. and the number total them selves. It also helps that my account was the H on my Div III football crew for about 5 years.

He keeps me out of trouble

Hmm, I might be thinking of local tax, which is freshest in my mind. Never mind that part... :o

Wow...That was...Good catch

-Josh

My tax guy suggested also deducting my cell phone as a business phone. I purchased a GPS devise last year as well for getting to games and put that in as a deduction for expenses.

Lots of officials in the area do not record any income from games for taxes. I would not be to worried about those of us that may do it incorrectly. We can always point the finger to those who don't do it at all.

I have listed my income and expenses for taxes 7 years now. It seems to work.

You can certainly do that, but the IRS will expect you to be writing a check with the other 9 fingers.

Isn't all this money reportable on federal taxes as part of your total income, and also on the social security schedule F (??)where you have to pay the full 15% social security and medicare part?? Also isn't this reportable on state taxes and local taxes including having to fill out quarterly income tax papers that go with this income since you are essentially an independent contractor for your services?

I've had some seriously veteran officials who do mostly park district, kid travel games, etc. actually say they'll stop doing games for a certain entity for a while if they're approaching a $600 threshhold for the year (at least I think that was the figure he used).

Seemed to imply one only had to declare if he or she made more than $600 in a given year. Does this sound familiar?

You get $600 from one place, they send you a 1099.

So stay short of $600, no 1099, no declaration, no worries? Something tells me that's assuming too much but what do the men and women (who no doubt would like to preserve as much of their sweated out equity from this business as possible) have to say?

It's still reportable. I used to work for a Rec assigner who gave you a 1099 if you made $600 working for him. But he always reminded those of us who didn't get one that is was still our responsibility to claim the income.

Do they cheat on the field, too?

Ran across an interesting "article" the other day while I was putting together an improved spreadsheet for my taxes (for next year).

http://nuaumpiresusa.org/libitems/NUA_Tax.pdf

I agree with most every deduction on there but the following two: "Meals between games of doubleheaders" and "Meals between work and evening game". Does anyone agree or disagree with these two deductions?

-Josh

I've asked my tax pro about those along with estimated payments and she has told me not to worry about them. Your mileage may vary.

Did anyone see this one??? "Incontinence Supplies" :D

Or how about this one??? "Impairment Related Expenses" :D

I did notice that too but thought I better not get "certain people" started on it lol I have always heard it's a no-no to include meals from work to games or meals between games. Just curious

-Josh

I thought those write-offs were only for deranged astronauts?

You made $8k and after expenses made only $487?

Yes.

Hmmmm....we need to talk! :D

Mileage, mileage, mileage.

Yep, mileage will do it every time.

What else besides mileage...I racked up plenty. Uniform purchase, dues/registration fees, laundry allowances...that was what I had in 2008...what am I missing? :confused:

Mileage is always my biggest write-off. My 2nd biggest this past year was the camp I attended in Orlando: camp fee, plane ticket, motel, rental car.

Same here with me as well, camp and clinics as well as supplies (Whistles, Uniforms, shoes). I have not tried to deduct my cell phone bill yet.

I've done that. A percentage of my bill in the months I actually officiate. As well as my internet bill (COX cable).

Call me at work.

I just can't see including meals between work and the game. I don't think the code allows that but maybe I'm mistaken.

I always think it's a successful year if I end up in positive territory.

-Josh

Why wouldn't the code allow such meals? They're allowed for business travel out of town (within limits).

I do that as well...still...what else am I missing? :confused:

Josh,

I do this a lot, especially during football and basketball season. I'll grab something for the ride to the game or the ride home after the game (depending on what little town I'm headed to in Nebraska or Iowa), and keep the receipt.

I'm all for it because, as you gentleman know, it's a practice I believe most of us do rushing from work to games. I've never been able to justify it to my satisfaction but I'm definitely a tax novice at best. I will definitely start keeping my receipts from this point forward.

-Josh

Concerning the State and Local does this mean I just report it all at the end of the year rather than quarterly?

Publication 463 (2008), Travel, Entertainment, Gift, and Car Expenses

From what I can understand, unless you're traveling so far where you need a place to sleep, you cannot deduct meals. I'm not a tax professional, though.

You can deduct the cost of meals in either of the following situations.

*

It is necessary for you to stop for substantial sleep or rest to properly perform your duties while traveling away from home on business.
*

The meal is business-related entertainment.





Which at the high school level is, basically, never.

This isn't the only situation listed. There's another one. But if you read the entire publication, it does appear as long as the meal was not extravagent or horribly expensive, and you are away from home long enough that it is impossible to eat a meal at home, it can be a business expense.

An example: an all-day business trip I took on behalf of my employer. It was a 2 1/2 hour drive one way, and I had breakfast before I left, and arrived back well before supper, so the employer reimbursed me for lunch because I was still on the road for lunch time.

I understand the same logic applies to meals when doing officiating. Since we normally leave at 3:30 or 4:00 for a long road trip to do a football game and sometimes don't arrive till midnight, dinner would be a business expense because we are not eating at home.

I save a lot of money each year on my taxes because I list Bambi on them. She comes under the category of "Monkey Business Deduction". :rolleyes:

A dentist in my local area was recently convicted of tax evasion. Among the improper deductions listed in the newspaper that he took included expenses incurred at some Brothels in Nevada. He claimed those expenses as "professional education."

The problem is the IRS and the U.S. Attorneys office didn't buy the arguement that a certain sex act leaves bruises in the "escort's" mouth and the dentist was researching that. I know that bruises are an after-effect of a certain sex act because it was an out-of-the-blue comment made by a dental hygiene instructor where I teach at. :D