I have to pay the gym I train out of a percentage of each session, can this be written off as rent?
If you are not an employee, then there is no way the gym would know how much you charge…so % would be hard to track. If the gym collects your money, then distributes it to you….then it would seem to me that there is something fishy going on because that would make you more of an employee than an indie. If they do the collecting, you use their equipment, and you are an integral part of their business, then they should be paying employee benefits. If you have a written contract as an indie, then 1099s are customary. If you are paying “rent” (as many gym owners like to call it) then they are acting as a renter, and as any landlord, would have to issue documentation of all income contributed by you to their business. Trainers that are employed by a facility also are paid a % of training fees, but are entitled to certain benefits. Unemployment? Insurance? As an indie, you are required to pay for your own advertising, insurance, self employment taxes, etc….so be sure to cover your bases on this one. Are you actually an employee or are you indeed an indie trainer? Get everything in writing.