Padi Divemaster renewal and liability costs

[O-ring]

bwerb once bubbled...
I was under the understanding that it is possible to write-off a portion of you gear/classes once you are in training towards or acting as a "dive professional." It falls under the classification of "required equipment" to do your job. Typically, university or college class fees are also recoverable to some degree as part of advanced training towards your "occupation."

If there is any way in the world to write-off any portion of diving because of DM or DM in training status, it's well worth it.

...it is very hard to do. Something to do with showing a profit or at least some income from the activity, etc. which is really hard as a DM since you are not paid for it (as stated above). I know instructors that basically are able to pay for their diving hobby and get some tax benefits, but teaching classes and getting paid is a whole different ball of wax than DMing. At least if you are teaching, even if you are losing money, you can (as I understand it) still get the scuba related tax writeoffs.

 

[bwerb]

O-ring once bubbled...

...it is very hard to do. teaching, even if you are losing money, you can (as I understand it) still get the scuba related tax writeoffs.

Good call!

I just think it's worth looking into the possible ramifications of what you can do as the DM is considered a "professional" certification. I'm in Canada and some of our tax laws are obviously going to be different but much of the principal is the same. If DM is the first step to instructor, then as a prerequisite of your education and certification to instruct some of the more educational writeoffs should be in order. Time to talk to a creative accountant.

 

[Jonathan]

I think the tax thing would only be worth the hassle if you are a full time DM having that as a sole income. I think we've established that these people don't really exist.....

I think a large majority of DM's (if not all) outside of resorts do it because they love it and are not reliant on it for income. It's an escape from the desk, or the bus depot or the building site or wherever you work.

The only way you are going to change that is if enough of you feel strongly enough and don't renew or pay the insurance - but being the people we are I don't see that happening. I for one won't go down that road....

Jonathan