Finding Out If Casual Income Subject to Income Tax (2024)

A Guide for the Part-Time Artist or Crafter

Finding Out If Casual Income Subject to Income Tax (1)

By

Maire Loughran

Maire Loughran is a certified public accountant (CPA), author, and business owner. She has over 15 years' experience assisting new businesses.

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Updated on 04/12/19

I've recently received aquestion about arts and crafts hobby activities - specifically questioning when income from casual arts and crafts business activities has to be included in taxable income. It's just the nature of the beast that some arts and crafts activities don't rise to the level of being a business. Specifically I'm talking about the casual artist or crafter who creates hand-crafted items more for the love of doing it rather than to bring in a sustainable or even part-time income.

For example, you may love making jewelry and end up selling or giving away some of your excess creations to friends. Instances like that or even if you occasionally sell jewelry on a site such as Etsy may not rise to the level of being a business, rather for tax purposes you may be classified as hobbyist who occasionally sells items.

Hobby Loss Rules

Understanding when you are participating in a hobby that occasionally brings in money versus a business is very important. And remember, bringing in some extra cash now and then is quite difference from having income - hobbyist usually end up selling their items at a loss after deducting all expenses relating to making the item. You don't show the hobby income and related expenses on your tax return the same way as you would if you are a sole proprietor arts and crafts business owner. Check out my article on hobby losses for more information.

Recording Arts and Crafts Casual Income

Now that I've laid a little groundwork on the topic - here's thequestion:

Question: If I start selling arts and crafts, do I have to register a business first? Then, when do I have to start paying taxes? For example, if I sell household items in a yard sale, I don't need to have a business. I am not making money there, just change for getting rid of things. But if I make more than say $200, or $X (Whatever value), I should pay taxes on it. I guess my question is what is the "X" value?

Answer:

First let's address the issue of registering a business. This is not a tax issue, it is a city/county licensing issue governed by the location at which you operate your arts and crafts business. If you plan to incorporate your business, you also have to get in touch with your Secretary of State to file the appropriate paperwork.

Understanding Why Garage Sales Normally Aren't Income

The reader hits the nail on the head when they state that garage sales are usually held to get rid of excess stuff around the house for some spare change. The reason why you normally don't have to worry about paying taxes on garage sale proceeds is because the proceeds don't = income. You only have income if you sell your garage sale stuff for more than you paid for it. This rarely happens. But if you sell for example a coin for more than you paid for it - you would owe capital gains tax on the sale.

Explaining the Income "X" Factor

I can't think of a single situation where you will owe income tax on gross sales (you may however owe sales tax). What you will owe income tax on is the amount left over after you pay for all expenses you incur in the production of that gross sale.

As an arts and crafts business owner, when you have a profit from selling an item, you have a taxable event. For example, you sell a ceramic pot for $50 and it cost you $25 to make it. Your taxable income from the sale is $25 ($50 - $25). In other words, there is no minimum you have to have in profit to have to add it to your adjusted gross income on your tax return. If you are self-employed you do not have to pay self-employment tax (the self employed version of FICA) unless your tax for the year is over $399.99.

So the quick and dirty answer to this question: there is no "X" factor for having to include income on your Form 1040. The "X" factor for self-employment tax is $400 in tax - not income.

Finding Out If Casual Income Subject to Income Tax (2024)

FAQs

How do I know if I am subject to income tax? ›

An IRS online tool can help you decide whether your filing status and income require you to file a tax return. You may not have to file a federal income tax return if your income is below a certain amount. Taxable income not only includes earnings from your job but can also include retirement and disability benefits.

How do you know if income is subject to self-employment tax? ›

The term sole proprietor also includes the member of a single member LLC that's disregarded for federal income tax purposes and a member of a qualified joint venture. You usually must pay self-employment tax if you had net earnings from self-employment of $400 or more.

Is all 1099 income subject to self-employment tax? ›

If your income is not self-employment income, you do not need to use Schedule C to report business income. Instead, the 1099-MISC income will go onto Line 8 of Schedule 1 as Other Income that is only subject to regular tax and not subject to self-employment taxes.

How do you calculate income subject to tax? ›

Simply stated, it's three steps. You'll need to know your filing status, add up all of your sources of income and then subtract any deductions to find your taxable income amount.

What income is not subject to income tax? ›

Disability and worker's compensation payments are generally nontaxable. Supplemental Security Income payments are also tax-exempt. Disability compensation or pension payments from the Department of Veterans Affairs to U.S. military Veterans are tax-free as well.

What income is not subject to taxes? ›

Nontaxable income won't be taxed, whether or not you enter it on your tax return. The following items are deemed nontaxable by the IRS: Inheritances, gifts and bequests. Cash rebates on items you purchase from a retailer, manufacturer or dealer.

Which of the following types of income is included in taxable income? ›

Taxable income includes wages, salaries, bonuses, and tips, as well as investment income and various types of unearned income.

Which type of income is not subject to self-employment tax Quizlet? ›

Wages received as a corporate employee are not self-employment income, even if the employee is the sole shareholder of the corporation. Ordinary income and distributions from an S corporation also are not self-employment income.

At what age is Social Security no longer taxed? ›

Social Security can potentially be subject to tax regardless of your age. While you may have heard at some point that Social Security is no longer taxable after 70 or some other age, this isn't the case. In reality, Social Security is taxed at any age if your income exceeds a certain level.

Who is not subject to self-employment tax? ›

Workers who are considered self-employed include sole proprietors, freelancers, and independent contractors who carry on a trade or business. Individuals who are self-employed and earn less than $400 a year (or less than $108.28 from a church) are exempt from paying the self-employment tax.

What other income is not subject to self-employment tax? ›

Examples of Other Income which are not subject to self-employment tax are taxable distributions from an ESA or HSA, jury duty pay, and other taxable income from an activity not engaged in for profit. For more examples, please refer to IRS Instructions for Form 1040 and 1040-SR.

What happens if I received a 1099-MISC but not self-employed? ›

If you're not an employee of the payer, and you're not in a self-employed trade or business, you should report the income on line 8j of Schedule 1 (Form 1040), Additional Income and Adjustments to IncomePDF and any allowable expenses on Schedule A (Form 1040), Itemized Deductions.

What is the subject tax rule? ›

A subject-to-tax rule (STTR) is a tax treaty provision that allows source countries to impose an additional tax liability on certain payments in case the recipient is subject to a low level of tax in his residence jurisdiction. Its aim is to prevent double non taxation.

What does subject to income tax mean? ›

Generally, an amount included in your income is taxable unless it is specifically exempted by law. Income that is taxable must be reported on your return and is subject to tax. Income that is nontaxable may have to be shown on your tax return but is not taxable.

Is Social Security considered taxable income? ›

You must pay taxes on up to 85% of your Social Security benefits if you file a: Federal tax return as an “individual” and your “combined income” exceeds $25,000. Joint return, and you and your spouse have “combined income” of more than $32,000.

Is my income subject to federal income tax? ›

More In File

Most income is taxable unless it's specifically exempted by law. Income can be money, property, goods or services.

Does Social Security count as income? ›

You must pay taxes on up to 85% of your Social Security benefits if you file a: Federal tax return as an “individual” and your “combined income” exceeds $25,000. Joint return, and you and your spouse have “combined income” of more than $32,000.

What does I am not subject to tax withholding? ›

Taxable income not subject to withholding - Interest income, dividends, capital gains, self employment income, IRA (including certain Roth IRA) distributions. Adjustments to income - IRA deduction, student loan interest deduction, alimony expense.

What is the subject to tax rule? ›

It is a treaty based rule that specifically targets risks to source jurisdictions posed by BEPS structures relating to intragroup payments which take advantage of low nominal rates of taxation in the other contracting jurisdiction (that is, the jurisdiction of the payee).

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