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Employee
June 1, 2019
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Business did not operate for the last 3 years but may in future. Should I continue to report depreciation on schedule C?

  • June 1, 2019
  • 1 reply
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We sold eggs locally and some products at a local farmer's market for a few years.  The last 3 years we have done nothing with this business but have some equipment that is depreciating.

Best answer by Coleen3

If you are no longer in business, you should not be continuing to take depreciation on assets. The IRS has a checklist of items that constitute a business and if you do not qualify, it is considered to be a hobby. One of the foremost is that you show a profit in 3 out of every 5 years. 

In order to make this determination, taxpayers should consider the following factors:

  • Does the time and effort put into the activity indicate an intention to make a profit?
  • Does the taxpayer depend on income from the activity?
  • If there are losses, are they due to circumstances beyond the taxpayer’s control or did they occur in the start-up phase of the business?
  • Has the taxpayer changed methods of operation to improve profitability?
  • Does the taxpayer or his/her advisors have the knowledge needed to carry on the activity as a successful business?
  • Has the taxpayer made a profit in similar activities in the past?
  • Does the activity make a profit in some years?

 

From <https://www.irs.gov/uac/business-or-hobby-answer-has-implications-for-deductions>


1 reply

Coleen3Answer
Employee
June 1, 2019

If you are no longer in business, you should not be continuing to take depreciation on assets. The IRS has a checklist of items that constitute a business and if you do not qualify, it is considered to be a hobby. One of the foremost is that you show a profit in 3 out of every 5 years. 

In order to make this determination, taxpayers should consider the following factors:

  • Does the time and effort put into the activity indicate an intention to make a profit?
  • Does the taxpayer depend on income from the activity?
  • If there are losses, are they due to circumstances beyond the taxpayer’s control or did they occur in the start-up phase of the business?
  • Has the taxpayer changed methods of operation to improve profitability?
  • Does the taxpayer or his/her advisors have the knowledge needed to carry on the activity as a successful business?
  • Has the taxpayer made a profit in similar activities in the past?
  • Does the activity make a profit in some years?

 

From <https://www.irs.gov/uac/business-or-hobby-answer-has-implications-for-deductions>


Employee
June 1, 2019
Thanks.  Should I just delete the schedule C or should I need to do something else?