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How to get your drone license (and legally make money)

How to get your drone license (and legally make money)

Aerial photography. Real estate tours. Drone burrito delivery.

Imagine the money you could make (and fun you could have!) if you flew for profit.

Sadly, drone businesses aren't legal in the United States unless the government makes an exception for you -- or unless you get your own drone license under the FAA's brand-new rules.

Starting Monday, August 29, you can apply for your very own license by passing a multiple-choice test and paying a small fee. No experience necessary!

What, you mean I can't just sell my drone photos already?

Nope! You could get fined $1,100 (or more) for operating your unmanned aerial system (UAS) for business purposes without FAA approval.

What is a Remote Pilot Certificate?

It's the official name for the drone license I've been talking about. With it, you can legally fly drones with intention of making a profit -- either by selling the footage, delivering goods and everything in between. You still have to follow a lot of restrictions when you fly...but more on those in a bit.

Prosumer camera drones like the popular DJI Phantom start at around $500 -- but the sky's the limit on price.

Joshua Goldman/CNET

What if I'm just flying for fun?

You don't need the certificate...but you do still need to register your drone if it weighs over half a pound (0.55lb to be precise).

Oh, but if you're a drone racer -- weaving through obstacles with a nifty set of first-person-view glasses on your head -- you'll still need that Remote Pilot Certificate. At least that's what the FAA tells Forbes.

OK, I want to make money. What do I need to get my license?

• Be at least 16 years old
• Have a valid government-issued picture ID with your name, address and signature
• Make an appointment to take the knowledge test at a test center near you
• Pay $150 to the testing firm
• Study
• Pass the test
• Wait up to 48 hours for your test score to get uploaded
• Apply for your Remote Pilot Certificate (using the code from your successful test as proof)
• Complete a TSA background check
• Print out a temporary Remote Pilot Certificate (while you wait for the real one to be delivered by mail)
• Register your drone (maybe do this first?) and start flying!

OK, that does sound like a lot. Let's break it down.

How do I get an appointment for a Remote Pilot Certificate?

You need to call, email or submit an online request form with one of the two companies supervising the test -- not the test center.

CATS (Computer Assisted Testing Service):

• 1-800-947-4228, then press 3 (Monday to Friday, 5:30 a.m. PT to 5 p.m. PT, Saturday to Sunday 7 a.m. PT to 3:30 p.m. PT)
• Online registration and payment (CATS calls you back within 24 hours to schedule)

PSI (formerly LaserGrade):

• 1-800-211-2753, then press 1 twice (Monday to Friday, 5 a.m. PT to 5 p.m. PT, Saturday 5 a.m. PT to 2 p.m. PT)
• examschedule@psionline.com (PSI replies within two business hours)
• Online request form (PSI replies within two business hours)

According to testing centers we called, CATS and PSI handle pretty much everything, including assigning you a test center and accepting your $150 payment.

The DJI Phantom 4 taking flight.

CNET

How long is the waiting list?

In the San Francisco Bay Area, it's not too bad as of August 26. One testing center told us they were booked for two weeks, another said they had openings later in the week.

Is there a testing center near me?

Probably! There are 686 of them across the United States. Check for yourself in the FAA's full, official list of test centers (PDF).

You'll need to call CATS or PSI to get your appointment, though. While the FAA's website says you can just walk in, testing centers in the San Francisco Bay Area told us we needed to arrange everything with CATS or PSI first.

How hard is the test?

You get two hours to answer 60 multiple-choice questions, and you only need to answer 70 percent of them correctly to pass! (You can totally miss 18 questions and still succeed.)

But these aren't exactly easy questions. You'll probably need to study.

Oh yeah? How hard can the questions be?

While monitoring the Cooperstown CTAF you hear an aircraft announce that they are midfield left downwind to RWY 13. Where would the aircraft be relative to the runway? (Refer to FAA-CT-8080-2G, Figure 26, area 2.)

A. The aircraft is East.

B. The aircraft is South.

C. The aircraft is West.

That's just one of the FAA's sample questions. Find more here (PDF).

What's the best way to prepare for the test?

The FAA actually offers a free two-hour training course (register here first) to get you up to speed, plus an 87-page study guide (PDF).

But you may need more help than that, because the FAA's course materials don't explain some of the simplest concepts in plain English.

For instance, would you believe you can answer the sample question above without looking at a map? I didn't figure it out until I found this third-party study guide by drone manufacturer 3DR.

I passed the test! Where do I apply for the actual certificate?

• Register here first (pick Applicant) and fill out your personal information. (You can ignore the Airman Certificate Number and Date of Issuance fields)
• Log into the site using your new username and password
• Apply for the certificate here; pick Pilot from the first dropdown menu, then click on the Remote Pilot certification

If you get lost, here's a complete set of instructions.

The Yuneeq Typhoon H drone.

Joshua Goldman/CNET

Now that I've got my certificate, I can fly anywhere, anytime, yes?

Not so much -- as you'll see when you study, there are a lot of rules (PDF) about when and where you can fly your drone.

Unless you get a 107 waiver (and you need to apply for those months in advance), you can't fly:

• At night
• Over people
• Higher than 400 feet (unless you're within 400 feet of a building; skyscraper climbing is OK)
• Further away than you can see with your naked eye
• At speeds over 100 miles per hour
• From a moving vehicle (or inside a covered stationary vehicle)
• Within five miles of an airport -- unless you clear it with air traffic control using this tool at the FAA's website.

Also, you need to register your drone (if it weighs between 0.55 and 55 pounds), do pre-flight checks before you fly and report any accidents that hurt people or do $500 worth of damage to property.

What if my drone weighs more than 55 pounds?

You can't do it with a drone license, or even a 107 waiver. Only a 333 exemption (which are hard to get, can take a long time and generally require a real pilot's license to fly) can let you pilot something that heavy.

What if my company already has a Section 333 Exemption?

Lucky you! But in many cases, you can't actually fly a drone for profit under the 333 unless you're a certified pilot. The Remote Pilot Certificate is another option.

What if I've already got a pilot's license?

If you want your Remote Pilot Certificate, you can actually skip the knowledge test and take the online training course instead. You'll still need to fill out a form, make an in-person appointment and have completed a flight review within the last two years, so it's not necessarily any easier.

Here's a step-by-step guide for existing pilots.

Could I really start a drone burrito delivery service?

Yes, the FAA says package delivery is OK -- but it'd be tough! Particularly given the rule about needing to keep the drone within eyesight, and the one about drones needing to weigh 55 pounds or less. It'd probably be easier to just hand someone their food.

How about a journalist covering breaking news stories?

That could be tough, too. You can't fly over people without a waiver, and the FAA says those will take months. But if you're not reporting live, or not directly over people... the FAA says media companies can do it.

What if I have awesome video goggles and a camera on the drone? Do I really need to watch it with my actual eyes?

Someone needs to: either you, or a second person who can act as a visual observer. Them's the rules!

Which drone should I buy?

If you've never flown before, buy a toy drone. Not kidding -- you'll learn the basic motor skills without any risk of hurting people or turning a $1,000+ aerial camera into scrap. Then, pick one of our top-rated prosumer drones that matches your needs and budget.

Is that it?

So far, so good...but there's still a lot to think about. Maybe you'll want to insure your drone against damage, and yourself against liability? You'll definitely want to practice flying and camera skills, and you'll need to figure out how to convince potential clients that you're right for the job.

Lastly, know that your Remote Pilot Certificate is only good for two years. You'll need to pass another knowledge test once that's done.

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Get an Echo Dot for $1 When Signing Up for Amazon Music Unlimited With Early Prime Deal

Get an Echo Dot for $1 When Signing Up for Amazon Music Unlimited With Early Prime Deal

Smart speakers can be a big help to have around the house. They offer a convenient way to perform tasks such as checking the weather, setting timers and alarms to keep you on schedule and streaming music, all completely hands-free. If you always have music playing throughout your house, Amazon has an offer you'll want to see. 

The company's Prime Day sales bonanza won't kick off until July 12, but plenty of early Prime Day deals are already available. Right now, any new subscriber who signs up for a one month individual plan of Amazon Music Unlimited can get a third-gen Amazon Echo Dot smart speaker for just $1, saving you $29 compared to buying the speaker on its own. To get the discount, you must be a new Echo device customer, and buy both the speaker and subscription on a single order.

The third-gen Echo Dot, which was originally released in 2018, is no longer Amazon's most advanced smart speaker, but still offers many of the same features and functions as the newer fourth-gen Dot. You can use it to control other Alexa-enabled smart devices like lights or locks, set custom alarms and routines and stream music from tons of different services, including Amazon Music Unlimited.

Amazon Music Unlimited, which starts at $10 a month for the individual plan (or $9 if you're a Prime member), is one of our favorite music streaming services for 2022. You get access to over 90 million, many of which you can stream in high-res lossless quality, as well as millions of podcast episodes. You don't have to sit through any ads, and you can also download songs and albums so you can take them with you anywhere you go. 

Don't need an Echo Dot? Amazon is also offering new subscribers four free months of Amazon Music Unlimited for a limited time.

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You can ask google to remove your personal data from search air you can ask google to remove your personal data from search engines you can ask google to remove your personal data from star you can ask google to remove your personal data from picture you can ask google to remove your personal data from android questions you can ask to get to know someone all you can eat crab legs near me

You Can Ask Google to Remove Your Personal Data From Search Results. Here's How

You Can Ask Google to Remove Your Personal Data From Search Results. Here's How

Our private data is scattered all over the internet, so it's only inevitable that some personal information will turn up in Google's search results. Google has a process that lets you request that certain search results be removed. In April, the company added new categories of information that could be taken down upon request, including phone numbers and physical addresses.

"The availability of personal contact information online can be jarring -- and it can be used in harmful ways, including for unwanted direct contact or even physical harm," Google's global policy lead for search, Michelle Chang, wrote in an April 27 blog post.

Read on to learn the types of personal information Google will remove from search results and how you can make such requests.

What information will Google remove from Search?

In limited circumstances, Google will approve requests to take down search results that reveal an individual's personal details. The categories of content include:

• Personal contact information, including your email address, telephone number and physical address. 
• Content that can lead to identity theft, like credit card and bank account numbers or images of your signature.
• Details that pose a risk of hacking, like login IDs and passwords.
• Search results with nonconsensual explicit images or deep-fake pornography.
• Medical records and other confidential information.
• Pictures of minors. 
• "Irrelevant pornography" tied to your name.

How do I get Google to remove something from Search?

Getting search links taken down isn't automatic. In general, you have to file a request and include the URLs of pages hosting your information, as well as search pages that surface those links. 

You may also need to include screenshots of the information in question.

Google will then evaluate your request, taking into account if the removal would limit access to publicly available information or if it's "broadly useful," like a news article.

"In such cases, we won't make removals," Chang said. 

You'll get a notification of any action taken. Depending on the content and context, Google may remove the links from all search results, or just results that include your name.

More details on the process can be found on the Google Support Site.

Is scrubbing your info from Search the same as taking it off the Internet?

No. Even if Google agrees to remove search results leading to your information, the info is still on the internet. You can still find it directly on the website or through social media, other search engines or other means. This will only affect what's available on Google. Google suggests contacting the webmaster responsible for the page to request the content be removed.

What else can I do to remove personal information from the internet?

Google Search isn't the only place your personal data lives. Google tracks the videos you watch on YouTube, the routes you take on Google Maps and even the searches you conduct yourself.

For greater privacy, learn how to automatically delete your activity history, stop Google from tracking you and how to delete your search history. 

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Dish expands 5g but there s a catch here s what you never knew about lily dish expands 5g but there s a catch here s what i think in text dish expands 5g but there s a catch here s what i think crossword dish expands 5g but there s a catch here s johnny jack nicholson dish expands 5g but there s booze in the blender dish expands 5g butter dish 5g rollout dish 5g network dish 5g internet dish 5g dish 5g tower

Dish Expands 5G, But There's a Catch: Here's What You Need to Know

Dish Expands 5G, But There's a Catch: Here's What You Need to Know

What's happening

Dish, the fourth US carrier, says it expanded 5G in 120 cities.

Why it matters

Dish took on its fourth carrier role when Sprint and T-Mobile merged, and has been under the gun by the FCC to roll out the service. It's supposed to a viable competitor to its bigger rivals.

What's next

Dish will still need to provide more clarity on the service, which is still invite only for now.

Dish Network may finally be on its way to offering a competitive 5G alternative to the big three national carriers. On Tuesday, the satellite TV provider updated its Project Genesis site to say 5G service is live in more than 120 cities, marking a claim of nationwide coverage amid a Federal Communications Commission deadline to roll out service to at least a fifth of the country's population. 

The announcement, a surprise change from earlier in the morning, when Las Vegas was the sole live city, could signal that the company is finally getting serious about the wireless business. Dish acquired wireless spectrum for years, but very little of a wireless network materialized. Then in 2020, Dish entered the mobile market by acquiring some of Sprint's mobile licenses, which Sprint was shedding as part of its merger with T-Mobile. The complex transaction suddenly made Dish the country's fourth-biggest carrier and led to the creation of Dish Wireless service.

But the FCC had a stipulation. To ensure competition, the regulatory agency required Dish to make sure 20% of Americans would be covered by its 5G network by June 14. The company said in a Wednesday release that the expansion exceeds that threshold. The "beta list" for the service is only available on an invite-basis only, and the company has been tightlipped about how many people will actually be able to access it.  

Dish wasn't available for comment, but Stephen Stokols, CEO of Dish-owned Boost Mobile, tweeted that 5G service is now live in 120 cities and linked to the Project Genesis site. When reached for comment, the FCC clarified that Dish is required to file status reports to the agency, with the first due on July 14. 

"Consumers benefit when there is more competition in our wireless industry," an FCC spokesperson said over email. "We are closely monitoring DISH's 5G build out to ensure that they are meeting all of their requirements in the law."

A host of issues has conspired to trip up Dish. The company acknowledged during an earnings call earlier this year that it had underestimated how much work it would take to get its own 5G network up and running. Supply chain issues only made the situation worse.

It's unclear whether Dish will suffer any consequences if it ends up missing the deadline. Neither Dish nor the FCC responded to a request for comment.

Here's what you need to know about Dish's 5G plans:

Why did the FCC put this requirement on Dish? 

The deadline is the result of a huge shift in the US mobile industry two years ago, when T-Mobile and Sprint combined in a $26.5 billion deal. The FCC nearly quashed the deal out of concern that it would lead to market concentration by taking one carrier out of the market. Only AT&T, Verizon and the new T-Mobile would remain. 

But Dish, which tried to add mobile service to its satellite TV offerings a decade ago, saw the carrier consolidation as an opportunity to become a mobile player. The company paid $5 billion for Boost Mobile, Sprint's prepaid mobile brand, as well as Sprint's 800MHz wireless spectrum specifically for 5G. Dish also secured rights to use part of T-Mobile's 5G network.

Dish still needed to build out its own 5G network, a task that it started mostly from scratch. To ensure Dish mobile customers would have solid service, the FCC originally set March 7, 2020, as the deadline for the company to have its 5G network up and running. The FCC also stipulated that coverage should reach 20% of the US population. 

The deadline, however, was pushed back at Dish's request several times. The latest deadline was set for June 14, 2022. Dish Chairman and co-founder Charlie Ergen decided against requesting another extension and expected that the carrier would meet the FCC deadline, the Fierce Wireless news site reported in May.

Did Dish make the deadline?

Dish updated its Project Genesis website the day of the deadline to say its 5G network has reached over 120 cities. But we don't know how many people in those cities are covered by the network, and ergo whether Dish has met its goal of covering 20% of the US population by June 14. According to the FCC's terms, failing to meet the deadline could result in Dish's license for wireless spectrums being revoked and paying fines of up to $2.2 billion, the Light Reading news site reported earlier this year. 

How far along is Dish's 5G network?

In early May, Dish made its 5G service publicly available in Las Vegas. Customers sign up for the service through "Project Genesis," an early access program that costs $30 per month and currently is only available on Motorola Edge Plus handsets. (The service plans accommodate other phones in the future.)

In February, Dish had said its 5G service would be live in more than two dozen cities by the June deadline. And after the Las Vegas service launched to the public, the carrier published a list of 113 cities it planned to include in Project Genesis. As recently as its first quarter earnings call in May, Dish had said it remained confident that it would activate 5G service in enough cities to reach 20% of the US population by the June deadline. 

The carrier didn't make public where 5G service was live beyond its first city until today, when it suddenly listed over 120 more cities that now have active service on the Project Genesis site. The service remains invite-only, and we don't know how much area in each city is covered.

In addition to securing Sprint's 800MHz range, Dish has also bid in several separate auctions to secure 5G spectrum licenses. These include spending $7.3 billion in January on midband 5G in the 3.45GHz spectrum and $913 million on the so-called C-band 5G in 2020. Combined, the chunks of connected 5G spectrum will serve as the backbone of its service. 

While Dish can use some of T-Mobile's 5G spectrum for years to come as part of agreements between the carriers, Dish also paid AT&T at least $5 billion in July 2021 for a 10-year contract to lean on the latter's 5G network while it builds out its own infrastructure.

What took Dish so long?

Unlike other carriers, which built their 5G networks on existing 4G LTE, Dish has more or less been building its network from scratch. It's also building the service on OpenRAN, a flexible type of cellular network that uses infrastructure from multiple vendors. 

Dish executives have acknowledged that they'd underestimated the work it would take to build their network and that they hadn't anticipated supply chain issues. 

How can you sign up for Dish 5G?

Right now, you can only sign up for Dish 5G's Project Genesis service by getting on a "beta list" of subscribers. First, check if you're located in any of the over 120 cities with 5G service. Then register by entering your email and address on the Project Genesis member site. Since the program is invite-only, there's no guarantee that applicants will be given the chance to subscribe.

Those in the Project Genesis Beta can use the Samsung Galaxy S22 and/or the NetGear 5G hotspot to access Dish's 5G network, while those in Las Vegas can use the Motorola Edge Plus smartphone. More devices will be made available later in the year.

Update, 1 pm PT and 3:45 pm PT: To include more details of the Project Genesis site and the 120 new cities. 

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Do i have to download windows 11 can you download windows 11 how to download the windows 11 do i want to download windows 11 i want to download windows 7 for free want to download whatsapp want to download chrome

Want to download Windows 11? You need to do these two things first

Want to download Windows 11? You need to do these two things first

Windows 11  began rolling out in October and brings a new, more streamlined design and updated features, including support for Android apps, easy toggling between multiple virtual desktops and better multitasking. Microsoft included a few Mac-like features and the ability to run Android apps on Windows 11. 

But there are a few catches to downloading the new operating system. For starters, Microsoft is using a phased rollout for Windows 11. And before you download, you'll need a Wi-Fi connection and a Windows 11 Home account. However, Windows 10 users can upgrade for free (here's how to get Windows 10 first so you can download Windows 11). But if you're setting up a Windows 11 Home account -- which most people using it on a personal device will be -- there are a few extra steps you'll have to take before accessing the new features.

Read more: Windows 11 review: Familiar but fresh

We'll break down everything you need to know before downloading Windows 11, including how to check if your computer is compatible to make sure you meet the new requirements. And here's what to know if you're thinking of upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 Home. This story was recently updated. 

Create a Microsoft account (or sign in to yours)

You'll need to create a free Microsoft account before you download Windows 11. 

Microsoft

To set up Windows 11 Home, you'll need a Microsoft account, which gives you access to Microsoft products and services. Don't worry -- it's free to create one. 

In the past, it was possible to opt out of creating a Microsoft account and use a local one instead (though the process wasn't intuitive). It appears that with Windows 11, you will need to create a Microsoft account to get started. After that point, you can delete your Microsoft account and sign in with a local account if you'd like, and this won't impact how you use the OS -- but you won't be able to sync content across multiple devices. A Microsoft account also allows easier transferring from your old PC to a new one, and more options for signing in. 

Windows 11 Pro and the version built for enterprise use will not require people to sign in to Microsoft accounts.

Here's how to create a free Microsoft account as Windows 11 rolls out:

1. Go to account.microsoft.com, and click Sign in.

2. Tap Create one to make a new account. (If you already have an account, you can sign in here.)

3. Enter your email address. Or, if you'd rather create a new email address through Microsoft (which will appear as @outlook.com), click Get a new email address, enter what you'd like, and click Next. 

4. Create a password, and click Next.

5. Enter your country/region and date of birth, and click Next. 

6. Check your email for a verification code, and click Next.

Connect to the internet 

You need to have an internet connection to set up Windows 11.

Sarah Tew/CNET

To download Windows 11 Home (and to create a Microsoft account), you'll also need to be connected to the internet. The reason for this is that Windows 11 will primarily be delivered as a Windows Update, much like newer versions of Windows 10 have been.

You'll also need the internet to perform future updates and to take advantage of some of the new Windows 11 features, according to Microsoft. 

This requirement may pose a problem for those who lack easy internet access. However, after you connect for the initial setup, you don't have to connect again if you don't want to (though you should to get important security updates that prevent vulnerabilities). 

If you're downloading Windows 11 on your current computer, just make sure you're connected to the internet before you start the process. If you buy a new Windows 11 computer after the OS is generally released, you should be prompted to connect to the internet when you're setting it up.

For more, check out how Windows 11 compares with Windows 10, everything to know about making the upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 and all the Windows 11 features we wanted but didn't get. 

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Top reasons the irs could flag your social security top reasons the irs could flag your credit top reasons the irs could flag your ssn top reasons the irs could flag your email top reasons the irs could be on the verge top theatre schools top reasons the civil war top reasons for divorce top reasons employees leave top reasons people divorce top reasons not to get covid vaccine top reasons for abortion

Top Reasons the IRS Could Flag Your Tax Return

Top Reasons the IRS Could Flag Your Tax Return

This story is part of Taxes 2022, CNET's coverage of the best tax software and everything else you need to get your return filed quickly, accurately and on-time.

According to the IRS website, an audit is simply a review of accounts and financial information "to ensure information is reported correctly according to the tax laws and to verify the reported amount of tax is correct."

But many taxpayers live in fear of being audited or receiving any sort of feedback from the IRS other than a confirmation (or refund). Audits can be triggered at random, but certain kinds of taxpayers -- and certain behaviors -- are more likely to raise red flags with the agency.

Below, we've spoken with tax experts about the chief mistakes people make that generate more scrutiny from the IRS. We'll also explain what you can do to avoid making errors and how far back into your records the agency will look.

1. You have missing or mismatched paperwork

"There's no one single thing that automatically triggers an audit," said Jo Willetts, director of tax resources at Jackson Hewitt, "but mismatched documentation is the most common reason why you'll get a letter from the IRS."

It can be as simple as a missing form, she said, "and often it happens to people who rush around at the last minute." 

Last year the federal government offered a variety of financial support programs to offset the economic effects of the pandemic, notably the child tax credit, the earned income tax credit, a third stimulus check and the American opportunity tax credit, which allows you to claim up to $2,500 in education expenses.

But you have to show you legitimately qualified for these benefits, Willetts told CNET. 

"If, last year, you claimed no child tax credit and this year you claimed three kids and they're not babies, it's going to trigger a letter from the IRS," she said.

That doesn't mean you're always in the wrong: You might have had a child in May 2021, and the IRS is working off information it has on you from 2020. 

While the EITC is aimed at lower-income households, taxpayers who claim it are among the most likely to be audited, accounting for nearly 31% of all audits over the past 10 years, according to a 2021 report from the US Treasury Department (PDF).

That's because fraud is so rampant, according to the IRS: Some $16 billion, or 23.5% of EITC payments, were improperly paid in fiscal year 2020.

2. You made a mistake with the math or data entry

While simple math errors won't usually trigger a full-blown examination by the IRS, they will garner an extra look and slow down the completion of your return, even if the error is in the IRS' favor.

So can entering your Social Security number wrong, transposing the numbers on your address and other boneheaded blunders.

Filing electronically cuts down on these foul-ups by pulling a lot of information from previous returns and letting you load your W-2s or 1099s directly into the system.

Using a professional tax preparer is also a good bulwark against mistakes and miscalculations.

3. You're self-employed

"If you work for yourself and have legitimate business expenses, you should feel empowered to take them," said Lisa Greene-Lewis, a TurboTax tax expert. "Just make sure you have receipts and documentation to back it up."

If you claim the home-office deduction, it has to be a space used "exclusively and regularly for your trade or business" -- not the dining-room table. 

If you claim transportation expenses, you'll need documentation of the mileage used for work: If you deduct 100% of your personal vehicle as a business expense, it's going to raise a flag. 

The largest percentage of Americans who are audited make over $1 million.

Sarah Tew/CNET

Being diligent is especially true when deducting business meals, Greene-Lewis added. 

In the past, they were only 50% deductible -- now you can now claim 100% of the cost of a business meal, "but you have to document who you are with, what the purpose of the meeting was, the date of the meal, and so on," Greene-Lewis said. 

"And of course, keep your receipts," she added.

Read more: Best Tax Software for Freelancers, Gig Workers and Self-Employed

4. You make a lot of money, or no money at all

Higher-income taxpayers are more likely to be reviewed, said Willetts, "but we're talking less than 1% of the total population."

According to the IRS, 2.53% of those earning between $1 million and $10 million were audited in 2015, and 8.1% of Americans who made $10 million or more were.

That compares to less than 1% for all the income brackets under $1 million that year.

The one exception was those declaring "no positive income," 4.47% of whom were audited. A negative income could be the result of capital losses or declared business expenses, which the IRS will want to scrutinize.

You're in the safest position if your total household income is between $25,000 and $200,000, according to the agency. Those taxpayers were audited the least. 

5. You claim too many business expenses or losses

You are required to file a Schedule C form if you have business income, but it complicates your return and can make you more likely to be contacted by the IRS.

Greene-Lewis encourages taxpayers to claim every deduction they're legitimately entitled to. But, she adds, you have to be extremely diligent in justifying those deductions, providing details and supporting paperwork.

The IRS' computer system is looking for deductions that are outside the norm for people in your profession.

Angela Lang/CNET

By and large, the IRS algorithm is looking for deductions that are outside the norm for people in your profession: If you're a patent attorney but your travel expenses are three times what other patent attorneys claim, it could lead to closer inspection.

And If you've taken a loss on your business for several years in a row, the IRS might want to make sure your business is above board.

According to Thomas Scott, a tax partner at Aprio, small business owners who keep sloppy records often make "frivolous business deductions."

"When the business owner makes up expenses and deductions, they tend to stick out," Scott told CNET. "Under an audit, the IRS will require support and proof of deductions and if not provided these deductions will be disallowed."

On a similar note, Scott added, "businesses that try to take incentives and credits that they don't qualify for may cause a red flag."

6. Your charitable deductions are outsized

If you itemize your deductions, you can claim cash donations to recognized charities -- as well as the value of a donated car, clothes or other property. But the IRS notices if these donations "seem out of whack with your income," says Greene-Lewis. The agency's computer system, called Discriminant Information Function, continuously scans tax returns for anomalies.

"If you say your salary was $50,000 last year, but you claimed a charitable deduction that's, like, half your income, it's going to catch their eye," Greene-Lewis told CNET.

For the 2021 tax year, the IRS actually suspended the typical limits on charitable contributions: Individuals are allowed to deduct charitable contributions worth up to 100% of their adjusted gross income.

But doing so is likely to draw scrutiny, so you better have all your paperwork in order.

7. You have undeclared income

This is the big one: Employers are required to file a W-2 with the IRS that reflects your earnings, or 1099s in the case of freelancers and contractors who earn more than $600.

The agency's computer automatically checks to see that your reported income matches up to what your boss submitted. 

It also gets notified of interest or earnings from savings accounts, investments and stock trades, too -- as well as large gambling wins, inheritances and almost any other kind of income. If you fail to report capital gains on cryptocurrency trades, it could trigger an audit.

Even if you work in a cash business -- say, as a waiter or babysitter -- unclaimed income can catch up to you.

"If someone is bringing their child to you to care for, they're probably claiming your service on their taxes. So you need to make sure it all aligns," says Willetts. "Even a small business like a house painter will require you to be bonded. That will eventually cross the IRS's desk." 

For instance, if you declare $20,000 in income on your tax return, but when you apply for a home loan backed by the Federal Housing Administration, you put down $80,000. "These departments talk to each other and eventually it's going to get you caught," Willetts added.

According to Aprio's Thomas Scott, small-business owners who don't keep good records also tend to underreport -- a major audit risk.

"Because the business owner hasn't kept up with their income for the entire year, when it's time to file their taxes they tend to estimate," Scott says. "The problem with this approach shows up because most of the income earned has been reported to the IRS on a Form 1099. The IRS can match the income reported on the owner's return to the income reported on Form 1099s."

The IRS also accepts tips from concerned citizens: Your disgruntled co-worker or aggrieved in-law may be only too happy to report you for tax fraud, especially since the agency's 2006 Whistleblower Program increased incentives to potentially between 15% and 30% of the proceeds the IRS collects.

The three kinds of 'audits'

Typically, the IRS sends three different kinds of notifications: Adjustment letters, correspondent audits and examination audits.

Adjustment letters simply let taxpayers know they owe additional money or that there is a change in their refund amount, typically because of a miscalculation. 

"People get a letter from the IRS and they automatically freak out and think it's an audit, but it's really just an adjustment letter," said Greene-Lewis.

A correspondence audit is a bit more involved: It lets the taxpayer know additional documentation is needed to complete their return. The IRS might ask for receipts, bills, employment documents, canceled checks, legal papers, loan agreements, shareholder reports or even ticket stubs.

An examination audit is what people are really scared of, but less than 1% of Americans are audited in a given tax year, said Willetts. "Generally the IRS says 'If you have the documents, send them to us.'" 

If you do receive a letter indicating the IRS is conducting an examination audit, you might want to solicit a professional, she added.

The process may be conducted through the mail, or more rarely, in person. (In March 2020, the IRS suspended face-to-face examinations because of the COVID-19 pandemic.)

When the audit is completed, your IRS auditor will determine what's required to rectify the situation. If you disagree, there is an appeals process.

Some of the things that get flagged by the agency are no big deal, Willetts said, "and the IRS is not always right -- or not fully right." In 2018, 30,000 of the million or so audits conducted resulted in taxpayers getting additional money back. 

"It's always a pleasure to resolve an issue with the IRS when it's the taxpayer's favor," said Willetts.

How far back can the IRS go to audit a return?

Generally, the IRS will include returns filed within the last three years in an audit, with most audits of returns from the last two.

"If we identify a substantial error, we may add additional years," according to the agency's website, which adds it doesn't usually don't go back more than the last six years.

If an audit is not resolved, the IRS may request extending the statute of limitations for assessing additional taxes and fees, which is usually three years after a return was due or was filed, whichever is later.

The auditee doesn't have to agree to the extension of the statute of limitations date, according to the IRS. "However if you don't agree, the auditor will be forced to make a determination based upon the information provided."

How long should you hold onto your old tax records? 

Since the IRS typically looks at returns from the past three years, it's a good rule of thumb to hold onto your records for at least that long.

Six or seven years is fine if you really want to cover your bases. The agency itself says it won't go back further than that.

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How to get your drone license how to get your drone rust how to get your drone out of a tree how to get your social security card how to get your ex back how to get a passport how to get a new social security card how to take a screenshot

How to get your drone license (and legally make money)

How to get your drone license (and legally make money)

Aerial photography. Real estate tours. Drone burrito delivery.

Imagine the money you could make (and fun you could have!) if you flew for profit.

Sadly, drone businesses aren't legal in the United States unless the government makes an exception for you -- or unless you get your own drone license under the FAA's brand-new rules.

Starting Monday, August 29, you can apply for your very own license by passing a multiple-choice test and paying a small fee. No experience necessary!

What, you mean I can't just sell my drone photos already?

Nope! You could get fined $1,100 (or more) for operating your unmanned aerial system (UAS) for business purposes without FAA approval.

What is a Remote Pilot Certificate?

It's the official name for the drone license I've been talking about. With it, you can legally fly drones with intention of making a profit -- either by selling the footage, delivering goods and everything in between. You still have to follow a lot of restrictions when you fly...but more on those in a bit.

Prosumer camera drones like the popular DJI Phantom start at around $500 -- but the sky's the limit on price.

Joshua Goldman/CNET

What if I'm just flying for fun?

You don't need the certificate...but you do still need to register your drone if it weighs over half a pound (0.55lb to be precise).

Oh, but if you're a drone racer -- weaving through obstacles with a nifty set of first-person-view glasses on your head -- you'll still need that Remote Pilot Certificate. At least that's what the FAA tells Forbes.

OK, I want to make money. What do I need to get my license?

• Be at least 16 years old
• Have a valid government-issued picture ID with your name, address and signature
• Make an appointment to take the knowledge test at a test center near you
• Pay $150 to the testing firm
• Study
• Pass the test
• Wait up to 48 hours for your test score to get uploaded
• Apply for your Remote Pilot Certificate (using the code from your successful test as proof)
• Complete a TSA background check
• Print out a temporary Remote Pilot Certificate (while you wait for the real one to be delivered by mail)
• Register your drone (maybe do this first?) and start flying!

OK, that does sound like a lot. Let's break it down.

How do I get an appointment for a Remote Pilot Certificate?

You need to call, email or submit an online request form with one of the two companies supervising the test -- not the test center.

CATS (Computer Assisted Testing Service):

• 1-800-947-4228, then press 3 (Monday to Friday, 5:30 a.m. PT to 5 p.m. PT, Saturday to Sunday 7 a.m. PT to 3:30 p.m. PT)
• Online registration and payment (CATS calls you back within 24 hours to schedule)

PSI (formerly LaserGrade):

• 1-800-211-2753, then press 1 twice (Monday to Friday, 5 a.m. PT to 5 p.m. PT, Saturday 5 a.m. PT to 2 p.m. PT)
• examschedule@psionline.com (PSI replies within two business hours)
• Online request form (PSI replies within two business hours)

According to testing centers we called, CATS and PSI handle pretty much everything, including assigning you a test center and accepting your $150 payment.

The DJI Phantom 4 taking flight.

CNET

How long is the waiting list?

In the San Francisco Bay Area, it's not too bad as of August 26. One testing center told us they were booked for two weeks, another said they had openings later in the week.

Is there a testing center near me?

Probably! There are 686 of them across the United States. Check for yourself in the FAA's full, official list of test centers (PDF).

You'll need to call CATS or PSI to get your appointment, though. While the FAA's website says you can just walk in, testing centers in the San Francisco Bay Area told us we needed to arrange everything with CATS or PSI first.

How hard is the test?

You get two hours to answer 60 multiple-choice questions, and you only need to answer 70 percent of them correctly to pass! (You can totally miss 18 questions and still succeed.)

But these aren't exactly easy questions. You'll probably need to study.

Oh yeah? How hard can the questions be?

While monitoring the Cooperstown CTAF you hear an aircraft announce that they are midfield left downwind to RWY 13. Where would the aircraft be relative to the runway? (Refer to FAA-CT-8080-2G, Figure 26, area 2.)

A. The aircraft is East.

B. The aircraft is South.

C. The aircraft is West.

That's just one of the FAA's sample questions. Find more here (PDF).

What's the best way to prepare for the test?

The FAA actually offers a free two-hour training course (register here first) to get you up to speed, plus an 87-page study guide (PDF).

But you may need more help than that, because the FAA's course materials don't explain some of the simplest concepts in plain English.

For instance, would you believe you can answer the sample question above without looking at a map? I didn't figure it out until I found this third-party study guide by drone manufacturer 3DR.

I passed the test! Where do I apply for the actual certificate?

• Register here first (pick Applicant) and fill out your personal information. (You can ignore the Airman Certificate Number and Date of Issuance fields)
• Log into the site using your new username and password
• Apply for the certificate here; pick Pilot from the first dropdown menu, then click on the Remote Pilot certification

If you get lost, here's a complete set of instructions.

The Yuneeq Typhoon H drone.

Joshua Goldman/CNET

Now that I've got my certificate, I can fly anywhere, anytime, yes?

Not so much -- as you'll see when you study, there are a lot of rules (PDF) about when and where you can fly your drone.

Unless you get a 107 waiver (and you need to apply for those months in advance), you can't fly:

• At night
• Over people
• Higher than 400 feet (unless you're within 400 feet of a building; skyscraper climbing is OK)
• Further away than you can see with your naked eye
• At speeds over 100 miles per hour
• From a moving vehicle (or inside a covered stationary vehicle)
• Within five miles of an airport -- unless you clear it with air traffic control using this tool at the FAA's website.

Also, you need to register your drone (if it weighs between 0.55 and 55 pounds), do pre-flight checks before you fly and report any accidents that hurt people or do $500 worth of damage to property.

What if my drone weighs more than 55 pounds?

You can't do it with a drone license, or even a 107 waiver. Only a 333 exemption (which are hard to get, can take a long time and generally require a real pilot's license to fly) can let you pilot something that heavy.

What if my company already has a Section 333 Exemption?

Lucky you! But in many cases, you can't actually fly a drone for profit under the 333 unless you're a certified pilot. The Remote Pilot Certificate is another option.

What if I've already got a pilot's license?

If you want your Remote Pilot Certificate, you can actually skip the knowledge test and take the online training course instead. You'll still need to fill out a form, make an in-person appointment and have completed a flight review within the last two years, so it's not necessarily any easier.

Here's a step-by-step guide for existing pilots.

Could I really start a drone burrito delivery service?

Yes, the FAA says package delivery is OK -- but it'd be tough! Particularly given the rule about needing to keep the drone within eyesight, and the one about drones needing to weigh 55 pounds or less. It'd probably be easier to just hand someone their food.

How about a journalist covering breaking news stories?

That could be tough, too. You can't fly over people without a waiver, and the FAA says those will take months. But if you're not reporting live, or not directly over people... the FAA says media companies can do it.

What if I have awesome video goggles and a camera on the drone? Do I really need to watch it with my actual eyes?

Someone needs to: either you, or a second person who can act as a visual observer. Them's the rules!

Which drone should I buy?

If you've never flown before, buy a toy drone. Not kidding -- you'll learn the basic motor skills without any risk of hurting people or turning a $1,000+ aerial camera into scrap. Then, pick one of our top-rated prosumer drones that matches your needs and budget.

Is that it?

So far, so good...but there's still a lot to think about. Maybe you'll want to insure your drone against damage, and yourself against liability? You'll definitely want to practice flying and camera skills, and you'll need to figure out how to convince potential clients that you're right for the job.

Lastly, know that your Remote Pilot Certificate is only good for two years. You'll need to pass another knowledge test once that's done.

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