The tax code is not kind to gamblers. All gambling wins are reportable as income. Losses are only deductible to the extent of wins and even that has limitations. Expenses of gambling, such as travel, meals, and lodging, are not deductible for casual gamblers. In Part 1of this two-part article we will discuss deducting gambling losses for recreational and professional gamblers. We will also discuss additional deductions professional gamblers can take and how they were affected by the OBBBA.

State Tax Planning with the “80/20 Company” Exclusion
Many multinational groups find that foreign-source dividends and other income earned by domestic affiliates are fully or partially subject to state income taxation, even where the federal system provides an exemption. This state-level “leakage” can be material – particularly in high-tax jurisdictions – and is often overlooked because the income appears sheltered at the federal level. For groups with predominantly foreign operations, a starting structure or a restructuring that causes one or more domestic affiliates to qualify as an “80/20 company” can substantially reduce or eliminate state taxation on that income.


