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Maverick1984
Returning Member

eBay 1099-K for Personal Items- Amending Return Correctly?

Hi all.

I sold about $7,400 worth of personal clothing/items on eBay in 2024. Overall I did not make a profit with most items sold for less than I paid.

eBay issued a 1099-K, but I accidentally forgot to include it when I filed my 2024 taxes so I’m amending now just to report it. I’m entering cost basis equal to the sales price so the result is zero taxable gain.

  • Is this the correct approach for personal items sold at a loss?
  • Any concern about audit risk for amending only to report the 1099-K?
  • Anything else I should do/document?

Thanks for any guidance!

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4 Replies

eBay 1099-K for Personal Items- Amending Return Correctly?

the issue is the tax laws say the sale at a loss of personal items is not deductible but the sale of personal items at a profit are taxable

Maverick1984
Returning Member

eBay 1099-K for Personal Items- Amending Return Correctly?

Thanks for the clarification!
In that case, since my total sales were $7,400 and I did not make a profit overall, is it correct to enter the cost basis equal to the sales price so that the taxable gain is $0 and I am not claiming any loss?
Just want to confirm that this treatment for personal-use items is correct and doesn’t raise any concerns.
Really appreciate your help

VivanRuhan
Returning Member

eBay 1099-K for Personal Items- Amending Return Correctly?

Yes, that is the correct approach. You are accurate that selling personal-use items (whether clothing, furniture, or household goods, etc.) in a transaction that results in a loss (less than the original purchase price) means the loss cannot be deducted, but it would not count as taxable income either! A 1099-K issued to you should be reported with a cost basis equal to the sales price, so that the gain/loss nets to zero. This is the correct approach to demonstrate to the IRS that you have not omitted any income. 

 

When you amend your return, just add the 1099-K to the records you will submit and provide documentation indicating this was a personal item sold at a loss (receipts or photographs or notes are a reasonable documentation of personal items). IRS just wants to see that your amended return now matches the 1099-K sent to them, so this is reducing audit flags, rather than increasing them.

 

If you never intended to run a resale business, this is also fine to do if it is clear they are personal items. Just keep copies of your amendment and supporting documentation if the IRS ever wanted clarity.

 

(Optional helpful reference: IRS Topic No. 409 – Capital Gains and Losses)

eBay 1099-K for Personal Items- Amending Return Correctly?

If you sold one or more itme at a gain, you have taxable income.

Since the loss on other items is not allowed, that can't offset your gain.

 

@VivanRuhan 

 

PS it would be easier not to amend at all since IRS is not very concerned about this untill the new 1099- form coumes into use.

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