Filing taxes as a professional gambler

What does it take to file taxes as a professional gambler? I have a full time job and gambling is just my part time job. How can I convince the IRS about this?

I asked my CPA about this a year ago. He basically said, "Forget it."

Quote: Avincow

What does it take to file taxes as a professional gambler? I have a full time job and gambling is just my part time job. How can I convince the IRS about this?

It's a non-starter. You have to prove that the majority of your income comes from gambling. If you have another full-time job, there is no way it will fly.

Quote: AcesAndEights

It's a non-starter. You have to prove that the majority of your income comes from gambling. If you have another full-time job, there is no way it will fly.

As long as I have a full time job I won't be able to file as a pro? I think I might be able to make half of what my full time job pays. So there is no hope for me? What about all my travel expenses, I want to write them off...

Do you have W-2Gs or something to worry about?

If not then you can report what you want.

Quote: sc15

Do you have W-2Gs or something to worry about?

If not then you can report what you want.

I'm a card counter, not a criminal!

Yeah, but if the IRS is going to make reporting honestly a pain in the ass or unfair to you, then you might as well just not report it.

Quote: sc15

Yeah, but if the IRS is going to make reporting honestly a pain in the ass or unfair to you, then you might as well just not report it.

You have to follow all laws not just those that happen to be convenient to you.

I don't have time to find the references, but basically the government holds "professional gamblers" to a higher standard than other people that file their hobby under a business. Read "Tax Help for Gamblers" ; it's a good start.

the nice thing about counting is the IRS has no record of blackjack play. You could claim that you don't make anything from it.

Disclaimer: of course no one would ever do such a thing, especially me!

Quote: Twirdman

You have to follow all laws not just those that happen to be convenient to you.

I always admire somebody who takes the high road; no one could possibly have a problem with what you are saying except when it reflects on their own behavior

Having said that, I don't know, I just don't view the IRS code the same way I view other things. I just have to believe not only do they really not expect to collect a lot of these kinds of things, but actually accept that they are not meant to be taxed. If you ask them, though, they can't say that.

Your state probably holds the position that you should pay sales tax on your online purchases if the seller fails to collect them. In many if not all cases you should report and pay them [true for VA anyway]. I have to think every single last person working for state revenue collection realizes this is a profoundly unfair tax on anyone that honest. It's just not right that the vast majority wouldnt think of paying, yet some do for whatever reason. They really want the seller to collect these taxes; the sellers do flatly refuse for the really great teach-your-children-well reason that if they have no assets in the state, the state cannot coerce them to do so. The state collectors all know this and probably wince at anyone who pays.

Yet if you ask them ...