Understanding Hobby vs. Business Tax Implications

Distinguishing between a hobby and a business is crucial for tax purposes. When an activity is classified under hobby loss rules, it is considered not for profit, affecting how income and expenses are reported. Specifically, income from such activities is recorded on line 8j (activity not engaged in for profit income), Schedule 1, of the 2025 Draft Form 1040. Unfortunately, expenses related to the hobby cannot be deducted. Image 1 Additionally, since these activities are not profit-focused, there are no self-employment (SE) tax concerns.

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