got my PayPal 1099 /// what now?


I assume I owe income tax on any profit I made selling an item, which is probably a loss on most things. Which means I have to show what I paid for the item.

Anybody have any idea on how to go about this. Some things I sold in 2024 I bought over 20 years ago so no way I have proof of purchase. Example.. I sold my 20+ year old Avantgarde Duos for $7K that I paid $10K for.

PLEASE don’t turn this into a PayPal bashing fest or start preaching about the IRS or tell me how stupid I was to use PayPal.

 I am only interested in ideas on dealing with the tax implications

 

thanks

herman

Showing 1 response by yesiam_a_pirate

First and foremost book the income. The IRS computer audits ALL 1040s.  If they show a 1099 and you don’t the examination escalated!

You do not need to provide reciepts unless you are audited. At that point, abscent proof of payment (your basis) you may be required to demonstrate with “reasonable satisfaction” the MSRP prices on your gear in the year offered for sale.  The IRS will then “impute basis” and do the profit/loss calculation from there.

It is my strong conviction that you should have a CPA prepared and CPA signed return.  This greatly reduces your risks.  Remember these are goverment employees- they take the path of least resistance and a CPA in this case IS resistance.