Statesman
28 Mar 2003, 02:31 PM
This being tax season I thought I might share a bit of financial advice for the serious referee that I've worked out over the years.
As a sports official we are independent contractors. We do a game, we get paid a set rate. When filing for taxes you can declare yourself a business for these services you provide. In doing so you may itemize deductions for anything you purchase pertaining to your function as a referee. This includes all jerseys, shoes, shorts, socks, flags, your bag, whistles, gloves, hat, warmup attire, and anything else you purchase throughout the year.
One of the biggest business expenditures falls under travel. If you pay money to stay in a hotel room you can deduct that as well. I believe the going rate for mileage is 30 cents to the mile. If you travel over 1000 miles a year to referee that's $300 in deductions.
This is a great way to help offset the costs of being a referee. It requires a bit of paperwork but all of this information is very easy to set up in an Excel or Access database and enter the information on a game by game basis. Just make sure you keep all receipts and log all transactions you do as a referee. There are more taxes to pay for being self-employed but if you referee games almost every night and receive 10-99s from various leagues that you have to report anyway this is a good way to reduce costs.
Although it is too late for 2002, some of you might think of doing this for 2003. Don't let the price of equipment or the cost of travelling hold you back from being the best referee you can!
As a sports official we are independent contractors. We do a game, we get paid a set rate. When filing for taxes you can declare yourself a business for these services you provide. In doing so you may itemize deductions for anything you purchase pertaining to your function as a referee. This includes all jerseys, shoes, shorts, socks, flags, your bag, whistles, gloves, hat, warmup attire, and anything else you purchase throughout the year.
One of the biggest business expenditures falls under travel. If you pay money to stay in a hotel room you can deduct that as well. I believe the going rate for mileage is 30 cents to the mile. If you travel over 1000 miles a year to referee that's $300 in deductions.
This is a great way to help offset the costs of being a referee. It requires a bit of paperwork but all of this information is very easy to set up in an Excel or Access database and enter the information on a game by game basis. Just make sure you keep all receipts and log all transactions you do as a referee. There are more taxes to pay for being self-employed but if you referee games almost every night and receive 10-99s from various leagues that you have to report anyway this is a good way to reduce costs.
Although it is too late for 2002, some of you might think of doing this for 2003. Don't let the price of equipment or the cost of travelling hold you back from being the best referee you can!