Did my old job only exist because of fraud?

Re:Did my old job only exist because of fraud? by cobbzilla on Monday June 22, 2026 @05:46AM (#48627982)

Semantics. If the hobby business never makes a profit and is capturing losses for tax benefits, that’s a failing business. It can be failing indefinitely as long as there’s money to support it, but you can’t call it a successful business.

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Re:Did my old job only exist because of fraud? by GJim on Monday June 22, 2026 @05:51AM (#48628023)

You appear to be suggesting that fun hobbies which don't make money are a 'failure' rather than a success. Not everything is judged by how much money it makes.

Have you ever wondered why kids climb trees?

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Re:Did my old job only exist because of fraud? by williamdclt on Monday June 22, 2026 @06:16AM (#48628200)

It's really not that deep: they're characterising the business, you're characterising the hobby. The owner having a good time doesn't make it a successful business. A failing business can be a successful hobby, sure, that's still a failing business.

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Re:Did my old job only exist because of fraud? by scrubs on Tuesday June 23, 2026 @01:52AM (#48640886)

This wasn't a hobby. At least the head engineer and sales persons were constantly stressed by flagging sales and lack of customer acceptance.

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Re:Did my old job only exist because of fraud? by cobbzilla on Tuesday June 23, 2026 @10:49AM (#48645902)

It wasn’t a hobby for them but it still may have been a hobby business for the founder. Rich dude LARPing tyrant CEO or Steve Jobs imitator is common.

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Re:Did my old job only exist because of fraud? by KingMachiavelli on Monday June 22, 2026 @01:46PM (#48633395)

Doesn't running consistent losses eventually cause tax issues with the IRS? If the losses are offsetting profit elsewhere, I would assume the IRS would become very interested in challenging the validity of the hobby business?

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