10/12/2026
Making money from a hobby or side activity? 💰
You may be wondering: Is this still a hobby, or is it a business?
The IRS doesn't look at just one thing. It considers the overall activity, including your profit motive, how you operate, whether you keep good records, your history of profits or losses, and whether you depend on the income.
And if you're getting paid through payment apps, keep those records! You may receive a Form 1099-K, but receiving one doesn't automatically mean every payment is taxable. You still need to report income and keep records to determine the correct tax treatment.
Certain digital asset transactions may also result in a Form 1099-DA.
Whether it's a hobby or a business, good recordkeeping can save you a lot of questions when tax time comes around. 📋