If a self-employed individual sells a personal boat for a loss, how is that loss treated for tax purposes?

When a self-employed individual sells a personal boat at a loss, that loss is not deductible for tax purposes as personal losses are considered personal non-deductible losses. The IRS does not allow individuals to deduct losses incurred from the sale of personal property, which includes personal use assets like a boat. This distinction is important because it reinforces the principle that only losses from business-related property can be deducted, while losses on personal property are treated differently.

In this scenario, regardless of the individual's self-employed status, since the boat is categorized as a personal asset and not used for business operations, the loss experienced from the sale cannot be claimed as a tax deduction. This treatment aligns with the broader tax rules that differentiate between personal and business losses, which is a critical aspect of tax compliance for self-employed individuals.