Collectibles and Taxes: What You Should Know

blowoutcards · 12-17-2009, 09:57 AM

Collectibles and Taxes: What You Should Know

Thursday, 17 December 2009
If you're buying and selling collectibles a regular basis, knowing some basic tax rules and regulations is a good idea.

Collectors and dealers of sports cards, sports memorabilia and other collectibles need to be aware of the tax implications of their pursuit whether it is a hobby or run as a business. Even if you are just selling a few sports cards on eBay and make a profit doing so, it does count as income for tax purposes. Likewise, if your trading activities result in a net loss, you will be eligible to apply that to your tax liability as well.

It is important to record all of the expenses associated with your buying and selling collectible activities. Keep track of even those that you aren’t sure of, because as long as you keep good documentation you may be able to deduct at least a portion of the expense. Just keep in mind that the definition of what is an acceptable deduction is “ordinary and necessary” for collecting and trading in sports cards and collectibles.

Federal income tax implications

According to the IRS Topic 409, collectibles are considered for tax purposes as a capital asset and depending on how long you hold them before selling will determines the tax rate. Short-term capital gains rates are up to 35% and you will be in that category for any profits on the sale unless you have held the collectible for more than a year. By retaining the asset for over a year you qualify for the long-term collectible capital gains rate of 28%.

Schedule D of Form 1040 is where you will record your trading gains and losses for disclosure to the IRS. Subtract from the sales price the initial purchase price. Then add up all of the other expenses you have incurred and place that figure in the cost basis column. Subtract the cost basis as well to end up with your loss or gain on the transaction.

For overall trading activities which end up totaling a loss for the year, there is a limit on how much capital loss you can declare. If your losses exceed the maximum allowable, it is possible to carry over the amount that is unused to the next year.

State income tax implications

Your capital gains on the sale of collectibles are also considered taxable income for state income tax purposes. Most states don’t have a different tax rate for capital gains and it is added as ordinary income for calculating state income tax.

Collectibles and Taxes: What You Should Know | Sports Collecting News, Memorabi-Sports Collectors Daily

12-17-2009, 09:57 AM	#1
blowoutcards Administrator Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 9,050 blowoutcards	Collectibles and Taxes: What You Should Know Collectibles and Taxes: What You Should Know Thursday, 17 December 2009 If you're buying and selling collectibles a regular basis, knowing some basic tax rules and regulations is a good idea. Collectors and dealers of sports cards, sports memorabilia and other collectibles need to be aware of the tax implications of their pursuit whether it is a hobby or run as a business. Even if you are just selling a few sports cards on eBay and make a profit doing so, it does count as income for tax purposes. Likewise, if your trading activities result in a net loss, you will be eligible to apply that to your tax liability as well. It is important to record all of the expenses associated with your buying and selling collectible activities. Keep track of even those that you aren’t sure of, because as long as you keep good documentation you may be able to deduct at least a portion of the expense. Just keep in mind that the definition of what is an acceptable deduction is “ordinary and necessary” for collecting and trading in sports cards and collectibles. Federal income tax implications According to the IRS Topic 409, collectibles are considered for tax purposes as a capital asset and depending on how long you hold them before selling will determines the tax rate. Short-term capital gains rates are up to 35% and you will be in that category for any profits on the sale unless you have held the collectible for more than a year. By retaining the asset for over a year you qualify for the long-term collectible capital gains rate of 28%. Schedule D of Form 1040 is where you will record your trading gains and losses for disclosure to the IRS. Subtract from the sales price the initial purchase price. Then add up all of the other expenses you have incurred and place that figure in the cost basis column. Subtract the cost basis as well to end up with your loss or gain on the transaction. For overall trading activities which end up totaling a loss for the year, there is a limit on how much capital loss you can declare. If your losses exceed the maximum allowable, it is possible to carry over the amount that is unused to the next year. State income tax implications Your capital gains on the sale of collectibles are also considered taxable income for state income tax purposes. Most states don’t have a different tax rate for capital gains and it is added as ordinary income for calculating state income tax. Collectibles and Taxes: What You Should Know \| Sports Collecting News, Memorabi-Sports Collectors Daily __________________ Sign Up For Blowout Emails To Get The Latest Hobby Info And Exclusive Savings!