Can video games be considered a job search expense?
Posted in job search by: adminJanuary 31st, 2010
I saw the tax commercial where the person questioned if a haircut was a job search expense. I’m trying to get a job being a video game reviewer, but to do that I need to buy video games new when they come out. I was wondering if in some crazy tax world that buying video games would qualify as a job searching expense.
Don’t make plans.
January 31st, 2010 at 2:24 pm
No and neither is a haircut. Put stuff like that in your tax return you are just begging for an audit
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January 31st, 2010 at 2:50 pm
Only if your job is making video games.
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January 31st, 2010 at 3:39 pm
You have it reversed.
First you become a video game reviewer and then you can deduct the cost of the video games that you buy to review.
YOU ARE ON TO SOMETHING HERE.
Create a website. buy and review games that are of interest to you. Sell advertising to the game’s publishers or anyone who will buy some. Buy advertising from Google so that when people do a search of the games that are on your website they have a link to your website.
If you came into my office with all of the above, I would put all of it on your tax return as a business. You must show intent of making a profit. The key is that you bought advertising to direct people to your website; without it then I’d call it a hobby. Do you write hints? ask for donations (they are taxable here). How about game editors? $25 a year memberships.
If your tax preparer doesn’t believe you then have him do a google search on the name of one of your reviewed games and see if the link comes up and works. Also make sure that you have a review on your site about the game in question. Some advertisements would be nice also.
I’ve seen some really dumb ideas that have made more money than some ‘not bad’ ideas.
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I am an Enrolled Agent with over 20 years of doing tax returns.
January 31st, 2010 at 4:12 pm
Don’t make plans.
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