Sch C Deductions

[shagpal]

now that we are nearing the dreaded day, what are your deductions that you take other than assoc dues, equipment, uniforms, lodging and mileage on your schedule C?

[KJUmp]

Not a tax expert, but what about:
1) Cost for rule books, manuals, subscriptions, etc. that are not covered by association dues.
2) Tolls
3) Cost of any insurance that may have been purchased over and above what may have been included in association fees.
4) Assignor fees (if not included in association dues/fees)
5) Officiating software and or officiating web site fees
6) If not already included with uniform expenses:
a) uniform cleaning
b) uniform alterations/repairs
c) shoe repairs
7) Lost game fees
8) Association fines (for turned back games etc.)

Again, not a tax expert...just some other stuff to consider.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by KJUmp

Not a tax expert, but what about:
1) Cost for rule books, manuals, subscriptions, etc. that are not covered by association dues.
2) Tolls
3) Cost of any insurance that may have been purchased over and above what may have been included in association fees.
4) Assignor fees (if not included in association dues/fees)
5) Officiating software and or officiating web site fees
6) If not already included with uniform expenses:
a) uniform cleaning
b) uniform alterations/repairs
c) shoe repairs
7) Lost game fees
8) Association fines (for turned back games etc.)

Again, not a tax expert...just some other stuff to consider.

Regarding Item (7): Game fees are taxable income and if you do not get paid for a game then you have no income to declare, and you can not declare it as a loss against the game fees you have been paid.

MTD, Sr.

[KJUmp]

Ahhhh...but of course.
Good catch Mark.

[shagpal]

this is prolly more of a tax question than umpire question, but how about meals? (anyone???)

I was told, if we buy even a cup of coffee and discuss any mention of umpiring, it's deductible under the 50% meals deduction. also any travel over 50 miles, ie tournaments, qualifies for 100% meals expense as travel meals. the guy who told me was an accountant/umpire.

gone are the good old days when you attended the assoc meeting to pickup your game pay in cash, no 1099's to hassle or worry about.

Originally Posted by KJUmp

Not a tax expert, but what about:
1) Cost for rule books, manuals, subscriptions, etc. that are not covered by association dues.
2) Tolls
3) Cost of any insurance that may have been purchased over and above what may have been included in association fees.
4) Assignor fees (if not included in association dues/fees)
5) Officiating software and or officiating web site fees
6) If not already included with uniform expenses:
a) uniform cleaning
b) uniform alterations/repairs
c) shoe repairs
7) Lost game fees
8) Association fines (for turned back games etc.)

Again, not a tax expert...just some other stuff to consider.

[Altor]

I, too, am not a tax expert. But, I believe Topic 511 is what you are looking for.

You are traveling away from home if your duties require you to be away from the general area of your tax home for a period substantially longer than an ordinary day's work, and you need to get sleep or rest to meet the demands of your work while away.

Deductible travel expenses while away from home include, but are not limited to, the costs of:

1. Travel by airplane, train, bus, or car between your home and your business destination. If you are provided with a ticket or you are riding free as a result of a frequent traveler or similar program, your cost is zero.
2. Using your car while at your business destination,
3. Fares for taxis or other types of transportation between the airport or train station and your hotel, the hotel and the work location, and from one customer to another, or from one place of business to another
4. Meals and lodging
5. Tips you pay for services related to any of these expenses.
6. Dry cleaning and laundry.
7. Business calls while on your business trip. This includes business communications by fax machine or other communication devices.
8. Other similar ordinary and necessary expenses related to your business travel. These expenses might include transportation to and from a business meal, public stenographer's fees, computer rental fees, and operating and maintaining a house trailer.

[shagpal]

travel meals are necessary while away from "tax" home, but is it treated under the same 50% rule? are entertainment & "biz" meals w/in the tax home treated under the same 50% rule? as I recall, not all meals fall under the 50% rule, but tax laws and rules change so often.

on a sch C, the IRS lumps the two under the same line now.

Originally Posted by Altor

I, too, am not a tax expert. But, I believe Topic 511 is what you are looking for.