If your activity is not carried on for profit, losses from that
activity may not be used to offset other income. There are certain
deductions which must be taken in the following order and only to
the extent stated in each of three categories:
- Deductions that a taxpayer may take for personal as well as
business activities may be taken in full such as such as those for
home mortgage interest, taxes, and casualty losses, belong in this
category.
- Deductions that don’t result in an adjustment to basis are
taken next, to the extent gross income for the activity is more
than the deductions from the first category. Deductions such as
advertising, insurance premiums and wages, belong in this
category.
- Business deductions that reduce the basis of property are taken
last, but only to the extent gross income for the activity is more
than the deductions taken in the first two categories. Deductions
such as depreciation and amortization are covered here.
For further info. https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p535.pdf,
business expenses