Section 183 Hobby Loss Rule: How the IRS Nine-Factor Test Decides If Your Side Activity Is a Business
Section 183 of the Internal Revenue Code denies loss deductions for activities not engaged in for profit. The IRS applies a nine-factor test and a three-of-five-years safe harbor (two of seven for horses) to distinguish a real business from a hobby — here is what each factor weighs and how to document profit motive before an audit.