+1

A lot of info in those slides. It says this works for Self employed and sole proprietor also, still not sure how but apparently you get the loan forgiven even if it was to pay bills during the 8 weeks and maybe up to the amount you profited on last filing? Seems like there is something here.

Time to get one of those loans and play the 50-100 no rathole plo game on Acr

Professional poker players who file taxes as self employed must pay self employment taxes which covers Social Security and Medicare. It doesn't cover unemployment insurance or compensation insurance (although they might get some disability insurance from SS in certain situations, I'm not sure), which are programs administered by the states. Hence, they will collect Social Security and Medicare if they make sufficient contributions over their lifetime. They will not collect unemployment insurance or state compensation insurance. They are free to take out a disability policy with a private company, but good luck trying to collect if you're not in the hospital for several weeks or bedridden. This is the first time they could have defined their situation as anything close to "unemployed", so there was little reason for such policies to be offered by insurance companies.

However, they might qualify for welfare in some areas if the problem persists.

Just keep written records in a bound book in which you enter data on a regular basis showing every session. Also keep separate records of your expenses.

There are two stickies in the Poker Legislation Forum on taxes and poker players which have a lot of good information.

Receipts. For everything. I read a while back that a card counter kept such meticulous records he was able to get a mortgage. I briefly looked for a link but couldn't reference it. It was from someone reputable like Wong or Snyder.

your records wouldn't even have to be that meticulous
i know several poker pros who file as professional gamblers, had several years of tax returns for the bank and got mortgages no problem.

Professional gambler is not an insurable occupation for disability insurance.

Obviously poker players typically don't qualify for unemployment as they don't pay into it. Still, just because your state software is telling you that you don't qualify doesn't mean anything yet. States have not had the chance yet to update things in light of the relief bill. I would definitely keep pursuing unemployment if I were a live poker pro. If it turns out that doesn't work, maybe they'd be eligible for the SBA loans, if needed.

You'll certainly get the stimmy regardless if you file taxes though.

The only surefire way a Professional Poker player would qualify is if they had formed an S Corp and has been contributing to the Unemployment Fund. The states still have not received guidance on how gig workers, freelancers, and self-employed will be treated from the government so hopefully there will be more clarity by the end of next week.

Read this on a Cincinnati news station's website today:

The $2 trillion government stimulus program is supposed to finally give unemployment benefits for millions of self-employed people who do not pay into the unemployment compensation system as full-time employees do.

I've played professionally for a few years and pay taxes on my winnings. I filed a few days ago and am waiting to see if I am approved.

You did it on your states unemployment website? I tried this several days ago on NV site and it said not eligible instantly, but that is because there wasn't a correct past employer listed possibly.

But maybe like someone else said, the state sites have not updated to the new policy yet.
Post your results when you get them.

I have no experience with these.

What is the difference?

I just filled out my Georgia application online. Be prepared for many web crashes.
I have filed as a professional gambler since 1996.

About $350.

I just listened to a live webinar from Vegas Chamber about Unemployment and they answered a bunch of questions and it appears that while the new covid-19 laws were passed about previous people that would not qualify for Unemployment, now would qualify, including Self Employed people, that new system has not been implemented yet.

Meaning that like me who just tried again on Friday to submit and it came back Not eligible, It is because that is the traditional website for filing will likely decline anyone who previously would not have qualified.

Once they get this new system in place there will probably be a different place to submit, which should be very soon. Also they claim that they backdate all the way back to when you became out of work.

Also, the original website shows: "If all of your work in the base period has been in self-employment and you did not file wages, you will not be monetarily eligible for benefits."

I did not file for 2019 yet. But don't think that mattered anyway since that is the old site and not updated with the new info.

Anyone who is self employed/poker/sports/etc that tried to file, please post if you got declined or were successful.

The states have not yet received the expanded guidance from the federal government on how handle the self-employed population. I don’t see how those applying online right now would be approved as there are no guidelines that we fall under to get approved. Be patient and hopefully something will happen this week. It is out of our control though.

Yes, exactly. She also said that it will be backdated all the way to when you became unemployed.

Yes

There are 3 programs, the one for us is:
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA): Provides unemployment compensation for individuals not eligible for regular unemployment insurance or any extensions to unemployment insurance, including self-employed workers and independent contractors who are not typically eligible for unemployment insurance.


Apparently the guidelines were issued today

U.S. Department Of Labor Publishes Guidance on Pandemic Unemployment
Assistance

https://www.binghamtonhomepage.com/n...nt-assistance/

poker players would be covered by this? do you have to wait to file, or can be done now?

Yes, it should work as soon as your state updates their program which appears to be happening a little slow. Maybe later this week.

For example the Nevada site has a Covid info section and it still shows:

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance: Unemployment support for otherwise ineligible workers, including self-employed.

Status: awaiting federal guidance. Last updated 03/31/20


Self Employed people all over the country have had to wait for this to update to get any money, some states apparently have been processing now and figuring it out later.

Yes, this does look promising. I do wonder what they will be asking to address fraud protection in regards to this line below from the linked article. I have been filing as a professional poker player for several years so I have documentation proving self-employment as well as a net profit number but I do wonder what safeguards they have to prevent fraudulent applications.

The UIPL also includes guidance to states about protecting unemployment insurance program integrity. The department is actively working with states to provide benefits only to those who qualify for such benefits.

Thanks for this, only useful info in this whole thread lol.

I also came back ineligible for some reason even though ive already filed for last year and worked multiple jobs. Really curious how they are going to be able to update the site so quickly and if it will work since the current NV site looks like its legit from the 80's.

Dude, I said that would be the case several days ago and I'm not even a poker pro, was just trying to help people out, and now I get no credit! Only useful info my ass, brah.