BarbL
Employee Tax Expert

Self employed

Just to clarify - there are expectations of a profit motive if you are actively operating your business.  

 

The IRS wants to see that you have a profit motive, and expect to see a profit in three of five consecutive years.  If you don't meet that standard, they may reclassify your business as a hobby and disallow any losses.  If you have been claiming business losses without ever showing a profit, it may raise a flag for them. 

 

Please see this TurboTax article for further information:  When the IRS Classifies Your Business as a Hobby 

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