Am I able to claim the fees for the cash advances I got on my credit card as a loss for on my taxes?
Question:
Answer:
If you are going to show the gambling winnings as "Other income" you can only deduct losses (and only losses) on Schedule A. You cannot take the fees.
If you were able to argue that you were a professional gambler and therefore engaged in a trade, you might be able to deduct the fees, but then you are also looking at SE tax implications. That comes out at 15.3% of profits. Fine if you made losses, not so fine if you made a profit!
My gut reaction is that you are going to have to eat the fees. It will probably be better for your long-term tax health
Afraid they are not allowed as part of a loss.
But you can claim them anyway. There is no law against it. If you get audited and they are disallowed, you will only have to pay back taxes and interest. No big deal considering that you may not get audited. After 3 years, there is no longer the possibility of an audit.
If you do get audited, just tell the auditor that you considered them part of your losses.
skip is right, muncie only 1/2 right, and audit can go back forever if IRS determines criminal fraud is involved, in an audit back 3 years you could get hit will civil fraud penalty which is 50 or 75% of the tax amount, plus interest and penalties.
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