Level 3

Question

business expense

Forum|Forum|3 years ago
April 25, 2023
4 replies
21 views

TP has a courier business like door dash. Can he legally declare expenses for carrying a gun and cost

of ammunition.

ProSeries Professional

This topic has been closed for replies.

IRonMaN

Level 15

Just because he wants to feel like Wyatt Earp when he is making deliveries doesn't make it a legitimate business expense. Unless Door Dash requires all couriers to be armed, it isn't deductible.

Slava Ukraini!

rbynaker

Level 13

I'm curious, how much ammunition is being used in this trade or business? I would guess the number of shots fired for business purposes would be somewhere around 0.

The answer may depend on whether you're on the south side of Chicago (I hear it's the baddest part of town) or nearby Naperville, IL (listed by Forbes as the safest city in the US (with 100K+ population)). It may also depend on what's being "couriered." Drugs? That's a hard "no" under IRC 280E. IRC 162 simply refers to "ordinary and necessary expenses." Are these ordinary and necessary?

abctax55

Level 15

Oh Rick.... the same thing flashed into my brain 🤣

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2a5CjKOTlg

If you are dashing around with caviar or Wagu beef.... maybe?

McDonald's - probably not.

HumanKind... Be Both

BobKamman

Level 15

Deductible in red states. Not in blue states..

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/04/23/surprising-geography-of-gun-violence-00092413

T

taxes96786

Level 8

I didn't see anything in the article, posted by Bob, that says the IRS allows a gun/ammo (in any State) as an ordinary and necessary business deduction.

It would only be allowed if employer requires it. Although client would be considered an independent contractor...I question whether the company he contracts to has this requirement. It seems to me that they would share a liability therefore, should have a say in whether the contracted hire is carrying a weapon.

sjrcpa

Level 15

Great article Bob.

Laura, you need to develop a sense of humor.

The more I know the more I don’t know.

M

MICHAELMARS

Level 6

If the service offers armed couriers then sure. Include range fees and ammo for training. Not knowing where this is located, wondering if he has a business permit?

qbteachmt

Level 15

"wondering if he has a business permit?"

Permits? We don't need no stinkin' permits...

Don't yell at us; we're volunteers

Sign up

Login with SSO

Let's get you signed in

Login with SSO