- For money, such as joining campaign, managing campaigns, doing Escrow services, making graphic designs
When I think of people making a living off bitcointalk, usually what comes immediately to mind is signature campaigns.
I think there are a decent number of people in third world counties that earn money via signature campaigns (and as of somewhat recently, bounty campaigns). The reaction of some people to this year's April fools joke, makes me somewhat believe there could be people organizing others to "work" in ways that would resemble an employer-employee relationship. The problem with many of the people from third world counties making a living off of signature deals is that they often do not have any real knowledge of bitcoin or cryptocurrency and don't appear to have any real interest in learning.
I suspect that some of the people who run signature/bounty campaigns do so for a living, as they are doing so many that I cannot see them having time for a full time job. I believe
shdvb at least used to make a living from the forum, although he doesn't seem to be very active anymore -- perhaps he realized sufficient capital gains in 2017 that he doesn't need to work as much anymore, same with
zazarb. In 2014 and 2015, there were more people that at least appeared to make a living from currency exchange section trades.
I suspect the majority of 1st world people that conduct business here do so for side income, or is also in school. You certainly are not going to make enough money in signature campaigns alone to earn a living in the US.
There are many doubts of people when it comes to signature campaign earnings tax-wise.
In the US at least it's probably self-employment income (using the USD value at time of payment), reported on schedules C & SE.
The IRS has
offered tips on how to determine if income is "self employment" income or "hobby" income, and is based on 9 factors:
Whether you carry on the activity in a businesslike manner and maintain complete and accurate books and records.
Whether the time and effort you put into the activity indicate you intend to make it profitable.
Whether you depend on income from the activity for your livelihood.
Whether your losses are due to circumstances beyond your control (or are normal in the startup phase of your type of business).
Whether you change your methods of operation in an attempt to improve profitability.
Whether you or your advisors have the knowledge needed to carry on the activity as a successful business.
Whether you were successful in making a profit in similar activities in the past.
Whether the activity makes a profit in some years and how much profit it makes.
Whether you can expect to make a future profit from the appreciation of the assets used in the activity.
There is a
regulation that governs if a venture is "for profit" (and subject to self employment taxes. According to
this article by H&R block, hobby income is reported on line 21 of your 1040 and is not subject to self employment taxes.