Category Archives: Gambling

Trucking, Gambling, or Both?

Can a woman who owns and operates a trucking business also be considered a professional gambler? That’s what the Tax Court had to decide. Linda Myers operated a trucking business in the Twin Cities. The trucking business was substantial; there … Continue reading

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A Not So Lucky Chance

In March 2006, I wrote about Renato Medina, the principal owner of Lucky Chance’s. Lucky Chance’s is a cardroom located in Colma, just south of San Francisco. Mr. Medina and his niece and nephew were accused of tax evasion and … Continue reading

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Great News for Poker Tournaments!

As I reported earlier, the IRS has revisited Revenue Procedure 2007-57, which would have required withholding on all poker tournament payouts of more than $5,000. I had been told by someone at the IRS that the IRS was going to … Continue reading

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Poker Tournaments: No Withholding Likely

The Las Vegas Sun reports today that the American Gaming Association and the IRS reached agreement that for poker tournaments if a casino/cardroom issues W-2Gs, then withholding at 25% will not be required on wins above $5,000. >From the IRS’s … Continue reading

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Studying Abroad, Taxes, and Poker

A reader asks, “I’m currently studying in undergraduate university in the U.S., where I hold my only citizenship. I was thinking about studying abroad, probably in Australia. I was thinking about going from around Jan.1-December 31st of 2009, or from … Continue reading

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When Gambling Isn’t A Business

A CPA likes to gamble, and shows his gambling activity as a second business (his other business activity is his accounting practice). The IRS challenges this, claiming that he’s really an amateur gambler. The Tax Court has to decide who … Continue reading

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Conduit or Right of Claim?

The Tax Court decided an interesting case today. An individual receives gambling income, but has given the payee a Form 5754, stating that the income belongs to another individual. However, the other individual doesn’t claim the income. The IRS goes … Continue reading

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Poker Tournaments Takes a Hit

Back in 2005, I speculated that the IRS would write a regulation requiring withholding from poker tournaments. The IRS will, on Tuesday, announce Revenue Procedure 2007-57, requiring withholding from any winner of a poker tournament who has received more than … Continue reading

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“The Income Tax Only Applies to Government Entitiies, Foreigners & Foreign Corporations”

A friend of mine received an email that states, in part: “I do not agree with your synopsis though that gamblers of the 50 staets have any obligation whatsoever for the withholding of Federal income tax on lottery winnings. Why? … Continue reading

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A Tax, A Compact, A Battle

Today in San Diego a federal judge will hear arguments in a case between the Rincon Indian tribe and the State of California. The battle is over whether or not California negotiated in good faith over a compact with the … Continue reading

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