Top Tax Tips for Clients in the Commercial Fishing Industry

Tax professionals can develop their skills and present themselves to clients and prospects as generalists, specialists in certain industries or a blend of the two. It’s never too late to educate yourself and catch up with the tax (and accounting) requirements in certain industries, such as commercial fishing. The following article discusses some general principles and tax tips for clients or prospects in the commercial fishing industry.

Self-Employed Status

A fisherman is considered self-employed (and not an employee) and required to pay SE tax if he/she meets the following conditions:

• Receives a share of the catch or proceeds from the catch
• The share depends on the amount of the catch
• Receives a share from a boat with an operating crew of normally fewer than 10 individuals
• Generally, does not receive money from work other than a share of catch or proceeds

Consequently, there are no withholdings from your clients’ crew share for federal and state taxes. It is their responsibility to file tax returns and pay the taxes owed.

Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, beginning in 2018, there is a new 20 percent qualified business income deduction available to small business owners and self-employed folks.

Gross Income

Gross income from fishing includes amounts received from catching, taking, harvesting, cultivating, or farming fish, shellfish, crustacean, sponges, seaweeds, or other aquatic forms of animal or vegetable life.

A crewmember or sternman may be given a share of the catch to sell and could receive a Form 1099-MISC from the boat owner and another one from the buyer of the catch for cash (and for different amounts). Consider doing one or both of the following to prevent or respond to inquiries from the IRS: 1) have the boat captain sell the entire catch and give you your share, and 2) receive a check as payment from the buyer of the catch (instead of cash).

Deductible Expenses

Many expenses incurred while fishing are deductible, reducing your taxable income and the taxes owed. Deductible expenses include:

• Gear and supplies, including rain gear, gloves and boots
• Licenses
• Business telephone
• Airfare and travel expense to and from port
• Out of port lodging and meals
• Boat expenses such as galley provisions, fuel and unloading fees

A tax credit is allowed for the fuel used by vessels used in commercial fishing.

Expenses While Away From Home

Fishermen typically incur large expenses for subsistence while away from home. Meals are deductible when you’re away from your tax home in pursuit of your trade, AND your business trip is overnight or long enough that you need to stop for sleep or rest to properly perform your duties. Depending on the facts, your main place of business or work may be a port, a vessel or the location of the business conducted during non-fishing months.

When meals can be deducted, you calculate them based on actual cost or the standard meal allowance. The latter is the federal rate for meals and incidentals, which will vary by area and when you travel. Meal expenses under either method must be reduced by 50 percent before being deducted. For lodging expenses, only the actual cost is allowed.

Depreciation

Fish tender vessels and fish processing vessels are classified as water transportation equipment and are depreciated over 10 years. Fishing boats, nets, pots or traps used in a fishing trade or business are depreciated over seven years. You may be able to deduct expenditures in the current year if you can establish that the items won’t be used for more than a year. Under the new tax reform law, bonus depreciation has been increased from 50 percent to 100 percent and the Sec. 179 limit has been increased from $500,000 to $1 million.

Capital Construction Fund

It may be smart to take advantage of the Capital Construction Fund (CCF), which was created to assist fishermen. The program allows fishermen to defer taxable income by making contributions to an approved depository and eventually using the funds to buy or improve a fishing vessel.

Estimated Taxes

Small business owners need to pay estimated taxes on time to avoid paying a penalty and there is a special rule for fishermen. If at least two-thirds of your gross income is from fishing, you can choose either of the two options and avoid the estimated tax penalty: 1) pay all of your estimated tax by Jan. 15 and file your individual return by April 15, OR file your individual return by March 1 and pay all the tax due.

Recordkeeping

For most small business owners or self-employed folks, a business checking account or QuickBooks® software is the main source for tracking income and expenses. Supporting documentation or receipts must be maintained, such as fish tickets, paid bills, invoices, receipts and cancelled checks. It’s wise to organize these records well and store them in a safe place in case of an agency inquiry down the road.

Hopefully, we’ve been able to enlighten you about some general principles and tax tips that pertain to commercial fishing. You don’t need to stop at issuing tax and accounting advice and services to clients in a given field. Over time, you may develop the accompanying business acumen too, which can bolster yourself, your practice and value to clients and prospects as an end-to-end trusted advisor.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in CPA Practice Advisor.