[Shoe]

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If you can prove that you approach poker as a business rather than as a hobby, you can file a Schedule C and treat poker winnings and losses slightly differently (as if they were business revenues and costs). That will often be the superior option for a serious player.

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I work seasonally for HR Block as a Tax Preparer. I've never heard of anyone pulling that off.

First, you've have to convince the IRS that gambling winnings aren't really gambling winnings. Second, and even harder, you' have to convince them that your gambling losses aren't really gambling losses.

There's no way the IRS can allow people to deduct gambling losses in excess of winnings, as doing so would reward bad gamblers.

"I lost all my money at the track. Well, at least I'll get all my federal withholding back."

I don't think so.

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That's why we suggest finding a real CPA that knows the tax law and is familar with the gambling laws, as opposed to going to some random at HR Block that knows less about the tax code than many of us on here.