It is against the law not to report all income to the IRS. Whether selling on eBay is your primary source of income, or simply a hobby, all income should be reported. Selling on eBay can be viewed as a hobby as long as one is not in it to make money. As such, any hobby expenses associated can be used to offset the income. However, unlike a business, any hobby losses cannot be used to offset hobby income. If one sells on eBay to make money, then the income must be reported as business income. In addition, any associated losses (lost or damaged packages, refunds) can be used to offset the income.
Only eBay sellers who exceed the IRS thresholds will receive an IRS Form 1099-K from Paypal. Sellers exceed the IRS thresholds when they received $20,000 in gross payment volume for the sale of goods or services AND have over 200 separate payments for goods or services in the same calendar year. 1099-K Tax Form is found via Paypal. Visit How Online Sellers Find Tax Form 1099-K from Paypal for detailed instructions on downloading Paypal's 1099-K Tax Form.
Advice for sellers reporting eBay income as a business:
- Keep detailed records including all receipts for purchases and expense. Organized sellers can use a bankers box or store receipts digitally with a receipt scanner.
- Research home office use expense. Write It Off! A-Z Guide to Tax Deductions for Home Based Businesses is full of helpful tax deductions.
- Research deductions for transportation: gas / parking / depreciation on vehicle
- Seek professional assistance related to tax accounting and IRS reporting
- Many deductions are available on Tax Schedule C Profit or Loss from Business.
Visit Taxes Made Easy with Paypal Annual Financial Summary Report for details.
- Research home office use expense. Write It Off! A-Z Guide to Tax Deductions for Home Based Businesses is full of helpful tax deductions.
- Research deductions for transportation: gas / parking / depreciation on vehicle
- Seek professional assistance related to tax accounting and IRS reporting
- Many deductions are available on Tax Schedule C Profit or Loss from Business.
Visit Taxes Made Easy with Paypal Annual Financial Summary Report for details.
For detailed information regarding the Internal Revenue Code Section 6050W as it relates to payment processors, including Paypal, visit:
