Hi, so I shoot sporting events mainly MLS games. However, I am not being paid for it. It’s more of a get you foot in the door type thing
So if I travel let’s say 6-7 hours and spend the night at an hotel. Can I write those things off?
I do other paid photography events like weddings etc.
It all depends if you’re set up as a business or not. Your last sentence regarding shooting weddings is kind of vague.
You would need to talk to an accountant to get any real advice, but I would imagine they would first ask how you’re currently conducting your photography.
Whether you sell your MLS pictures or not, if you were a legitimate business you could absolutely deduct certain expenses related to that. Working photographers shoot personal work all the time and if it’s in support of their business then there is a path for a write-off (in some capacity.)
Pro-tip: just because you aren’t selling these MLS pictures now, doesn’t mean you can’t sell them later.
This is correct. If you’re doing business as a photographer, just put your allowable and documented MLS photography expenses on your Schedule C (assuming a flow-through LLC or Sole Proprietorship business structure) just like you do with your wedding photo expenses and income.
You don’t have to be turning a profit to deduct business expenses.
You do have to be trying to make a profit in the business.
You do not have to be any good at the job you’re doing.
You don’t have to be any good at running a business.
You do have to follow the law.
You do not have to follow the laws people on Reddit made up in their heads.