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Democrat Initiates New Impeachment Effort Against Trump

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In a bold and unusual move, Congressman Al Green has once more called for the impeachment of President Donald Trump, leaving Democrats grappling with a potential political quagmire just as the fall midterm elections ramp up.

On Monday, Green put forth a resolution charging Trump with ‘high crimes and misdemeanors,’ focusing specifically on the contentious immigration-enforcement policies of his administration.

This initiative stands apart from any larger Democratic-led impeachment efforts, accentuating the friction between Green’s assertive stance and the party’s leadership, which insists that any impeachment proceedings should be rooted in thorough investigations.

Such tensions have long simmered. During Trump’s initial term, prominent House Democrats, including Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer, pushed back against Green’s impeachment drives, advocating for more patient, investigative diligence.

A similar scenario unfolded during Trump’s subsequent term. In February 2025, Pete Aguilar, a then-leader within the House Democratic caucus, reaffirmed that Democrats were not prioritizing impeachment at that time.

Later that year, Hakeem Jeffries and other Democratic leaders again declined to fully embrace Green’s effort. Jeffries said impeachment ‘requires a comprehensive investigative process’ and that the necessary investigative work had not been done.

Josh Gottheimer has also been skeptical of another Trump impeachment, saying, ‘We saw that movie twice and it didn’t work,’ while urging Democrats to focus on congressional oversight.

Representative Al Green filed an articles of impeachment against President Trump on Monday. He alleges that ICE and CBP have been used in ways that interfere with freedom of speech

Representative Al Green filed an articles of impeachment against President Trump on Monday. He alleges that ICE and CBP have been used in ways that interfere with freedom of speech

Green accused the administration of permitting unlawful searches, seizures and arrests, as well as excessive uses of force by immigration-enforcement officers

Green accused the administration of permitting unlawful searches, seizures and arrests, as well as excessive uses of force by immigration-enforcement officers

Among the most prominent cases cited by Green of deaths  by ICE agents include Renée Good and Alex Pretti, both 37-year-old US citizens who were killed during encounters involving federal immigration-enforcement personnel in Minneapolis

Among the most prominent cases cited by Green of deaths  by ICE agents include Renée Good and Alex Pretti, both 37-year-old US citizens who were killed during encounters involving federal immigration-enforcement personnel in Minneapolis

Jamie Raskin, meanwhile, has remained open to impeachment but wants a strong factual and legal case built first.

The divide is about strategy. Green pushes for immediate action whenever he believes Trump has crossed a constitutional line, while Democratic leadership favors investigations, evidence-gathering and a coordinated approach.

That could matter enormously if Democrats retake the House. They are preparing to launch broad investigations into Trump and his administration, with impeachment becoming an option if those investigations produce a case for it.

Green, however, is once again moving ahead on his own.

Monday’s articles argue that Trump’s conduct violates his constitutional oath, and accuse his administration of allowing ICE and CBP to trample Americans’ constitutional rights.

Green alleges violations of the First and Fourth Amendments: interference with speech and protest, unlawful searches, seizures and arrests, excessive force, and violations of due process and equal protection. He describes ICE and CBP as ‘quota-driven, unaccountable paramilitary police forces.’

The Texas Democrat’s argument is that Washington’s authority to enforce immigration law does not give it license to ignore constitutional protections. He claims enforcement has involved racially targeted arrests, unjustified detention and unjustified uses of deadly force — not disputed policy, he says, but potential constitutional violations for which the president must be held responsible.

Among the cases he cites are the deaths of Renée Good and Alex Pretti, both 37-year-old US citizens killed during encounters with federal immigration-enforcement personnel in Minneapolis, which Green holds up as examples of excessive or unconstitutional force. He also points to the fatal shooting by an ICE agent of illegal migrant Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston.

Because Trump controls the executive branch and sets its immigration-enforcement policies, Green argues, the president cannot distance himself from what federal agencies do under his authority. Allowing or directing unconstitutional conduct, in Green’s view, is fundamentally incompatible with the presidential oath and potentially rises to the level of an impeachable offense.

Monday’s filing is far from Green’s first attempt. It is at least his third of Trump’s second term, part of a years-long campaign to remove him from office.

In May 2025, Green introduced H.Res. 415, titled ‘Impeaching Donald J. Trump, President of the United States, of high crimes and misdemeanors.’ It was referred to the House Judiciary Committee and went no further.

Weeks later, on June 24, he was back with H.Res. 537, which contained actual Articles of Impeachment accusing Trump of abusing the powers of his presidency. The House voted to table it the same day.

On December 11, Green introduced H.Res. 939, branding Trump an ‘abuser of Presidential power’ and arguing that leaving him in office would allow him to keep undermining democracy and inciting violence.

Green has said he helped lay the groundwork for Trump’s first impeachment in 2019. Trump was impeached twice by the House during his first presidency, though neither impeachment resulted in his removal by the Senate.

Now Green is back again – putting Democrats in the familiar position of deciding whether to embrace his latest effort or keep their powder dry for a broader, leadership-driven strategy against Trump.

Brace for Impact: Storm Alert Skyrockets as Moisture Engulfs Region

ORLANDO, Fla. – As the week unfolds, Central Florida can expect an uptick in storm activity due to rising moisture levels returning to normal.

TUESDAY

Residents will find the thermometer settled in the low to mid-90s, though it will feel much hotter with heat indices soaring between 100 and 107 degrees.

The chances of storms are set to rise, particularly in areas near and north of Interstate 4, where chances range from 50% to 70%, especially closer to the I-4 corridor.

These storms might pack a punch with frequent lightning strikes, wind gusts reaching 40 to 50 mph, and heavy downpours, which could lead to localized flooding.

MID-LATE WEEK

Higher moisture levels bring 50% to 70% chances of storms every afternoon, initiating near the coast and migrating inland with peak coverage anticipated in the late afternoon and early evening hours.

WEEKEND

A typical late-summer pattern settles in, with scattered to numerous afternoon storms continuing. Storm coverage may favor the interior as a light onshore flow develops as highs remain near average in the low 90s.

Emily Simpson Discusses GLP-1 for Weight Management and Shares Son Luke’s Health Journey

RHOC's Emily Simpson Confirms She's Still Using a GLP-1, Hopes to Lose 10 More Pounds, and Offers Update on Son Luke, Plus Parenting With Husband Shane

Credit: Bravo

Emily Simpson remains committed to her weight loss journey, continuing to utilize a GLP-1 medication with hopes of shedding an additional 10 pounds.

Almost three years have passed since the Real Housewives of Orange County celebrity revealed she had lost 40 pounds after a brief, one-month use of Ozempic. Now, at 50, Emily is opening up in recent interviews. She candidly discusses her latest strategy to lose 10 more pounds, while also sharing updates about her and Shane Simpson‘s 11-year-old son, Luke.

“I still use it, but not as frequently,” Emily explained to Us Weekly during a video interview that was later shared on TikTok. “It’s more about maintenance for me now. I’ll go for weeks without it, but if I feel my weight creeping up, I’ll use it again.”

According to Emily, she actually used the weight loss drug weekly for not one month, but “12 months.”

“I was very regimented. Now I just — every few weeks. I guess what they call micro-dosing or whatever, just a [maintenance] system now,” she explained, noting that she was still “not at [her] goal weight.”

“My goal weight’s like, 10 pounds less than what I am right now … [but] I also have to ask myself if my goal weight is reasonable or not,” Emily added.

@usweeklyEmily Simpson exclusively tells Us she’s still using a GLP-1 but has shifted to a maintenance approach instead of the strict weekly regimen she followed for 12 months.♬ original sound – Us Weekly

As RHOC fans may recall, Emily confirmed her use of the drug during an appearance on SiriusXM’s Jeff Lewis Live years ago.

“I knew that I had gained weight. I didn’t like the way I looked, so I went to the doctor,” Emily revealed. “I did a full blood panel. My cholesterol was high. I have zero testosterone. I was pre-diabetic, so she actually said, ‘Why don’t you do a semaglutide?’ [And] that was a great kickstart for me.”

“I’m just gonna say that for me, it worked amazing because it really just kind of all the bad habits that I had where I was just kind of grazing, not really paying attention to what I was eating, eating late at night, eating my kids’ food, it just, all that stuff just kind of went away,” she continued. “It made me more conscientious of what I was eating, and so that was a really great kickstart for me. I didn’t lose a lot of weight doing it. I maybe lost five to seven pounds or something like that.”

In a separate interview, Emily spoke of Luke, who has been diagnosed with ARFID, an eating disorder, and PANDAS, which is similar to obsessive-compulsive disorder.

“Luke is very, very sweet,” Emily began on the August 7 episode of Access Hollywood’s Reality Nightcap. 

She then admitted his challenges were “hard” for her and Shane, 51, to navigate.

“I can’t really even articulate it because we deal with a lot of different things when it comes to Luke. I don’t know if he’s better, per se, or if Shane and I are just, we’re very accustomed to him, and we navigate him better as parents,” she explained. “Maybe that’s what’s better — is having a better understanding. I read a lot about all the different things, all the different layers of Luke, like the ADHD, the PANDAS, the being on the spectrum, like all the different things. And so I try to constantly educate myself and go to therapy. I spend a lot of time asking my therapist to help me be a better parent to him because we have to parent him completely different than we parent the other children.”

“It’s just an ongoing, daily [journey], and at the end of the day, I feel good some days where I’m like, ‘That was a good day. That was a good day with Luke. Luke had a good day. I feel like I parented well. And then there’s other days where I go to bed and think, ‘I really messed that one up. I didn’t do great. But I’m gonna do better the next day,’” she noted.

The Real Housewives of Orange County season 20 airs Thursdays at 8/7c on Bravo.

Montreal Airport Marshaller Seriously Injured in FrenchBee Plane Incident During Pushback

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A Montreal airport worker sustained severe injuries after an unfortunate accident involving a plane during its pushback phase, as reported by various sources.

The victim, whose identity remains undisclosed, reportedly tripped and was hit by an Airbus A350 operated by French Bee, slated for a Paris departure on Monday night, according to Radio Canada.

An eyewitness recounted that the individual ended up beneath the aircraft while it was moving.

French Bee aircraft on the tarmac at night with emergency vehicles, after an airport employee was struck.

A signaller at Montreal airport was injured after being struck by a French Bee plane that was pushing back on Monday. @fl360aero/X

“Many travelers were screaming,” she revealed to Radio Canada.

After the incident, the injured signaller was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries, according to police in Montreal, who have chosen not to disclose additional details at this time.

Emergency service vehicles surrounded the plane in the aftermath of the accident.

The flight, operated by the French low-cost carrier, was supposed to leave Montreal-Trudeau airport at 6 p.m. local time but it did not take off until after midnight Tuesday. 

It’s set to land at Paris’ Orly airport just after 1 p.m. French time.

“The precise circumstances of the incident have not yet been established,” a French Bee spokesperson said Monday, confirming the accident happened.

“French Bee is cooperating fully with Canadian authorities and the various parties involved to help establish the facts. 

“The airline’s immediate priority is caring for those affected by the incident and supporting its passengers and crew.”

Discover Beverly D’Angelo’s Beautiful Daughter: A Glimpse Into the Star’s Family Life

Beverly D’Angelo has long been a fixture on the silver screen, capturing the hearts of audiences as Ellen Griswold in the 1983 classic “National Lampoon’s Vacation.” Playing alongside Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold, D’Angelo contributed to a series that has become a cultural treasure. The enduring “Vacation” saga includes five films, spanning decades with installments such as “National Lampoon’s European Vacation,” “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” “Vegas Vacation,” and “Vacation.” The latter, released in 2015, arrived nearly two decades after its predecessor, showcasing the franchise’s lasting charm. Beyond her comedic prowess, D’Angelo’s filmography is studded with impactful performances in projects like “American History X” and the 1984 TV adaptation of “A Streetcar Named Desire.”

For D’Angelo, however, one of life’s pivotal roles extends beyond the silver screen—motherhood. In 2001, she embraced this role with the birth of her twins, Anton and Olivia Pacino, shared with her former partner, Al Pacino. While nurturing her family, D’Angelo managed to balance her career, taking on various film and TV projects without compromising her children’s upbringing. Despite the public interest, she maintains a low-key home life, allowing her twins to mature principally beyond the spotlight. Notably, Olivia has grown to mirror her mother’s timeless beauty and continues to make her presence known.

Olivia Pacino actively shares glimpses of her daily life on Instagram, captivating followers with her vivid snapshots and unmistakable resemblance to her famous parents. Sporting luxurious dark hair and piercing blue eyes akin to her mother’s, she garners attention not only for her features but also for her candid expressions of admiration for both Beverly and Al Pacino. As observers speculate over her potential venture into acting, Olivia stands as a testament to the allure and intrigue that often accompany offspring of Hollywood royalty.

Olivia Pacino has a thriving personal life and a loving partner

While Al Pacino’s tales of romance may captivate headlines, Olivia shares a more personal, joyous narrative through her social media. Her updates paint a picture of a gratifying life, full of delightful moments with family, friends, and longtime beau Ryan Harley. Whether it’s vibrant trips to Las Vegas in 2024 with her father or spontaneous adventures to Disneyland and Renaissance fairs, Olivia’s journey is a colorful tapestry of cherished experiences.

[https://www.instagram.com/p/DUWdmnrEjkA/]

Integral to these adventures is her fiancé, Harley, whose romance with Olivia blossomed into an engagement after years of partnership. In February 2026, amidst a memorable “birthday trip I will never forget,” Olivia gleefully announced their engagement on Instagram. Calling it an experience filled with “love, laughter and plenty of memories [Heart emoji],” she proudly proclaimed, “I SAID YES.” Regularly sharing their affectionate moments online, Olivia and Harley exemplify a joyous and committed love story, drawing warmth and admiration from friends and followers alike.

Meanwhile, Olivia appears to keep her relationship with her mother and twin brother quite private, with neither making much of an appearance on her profile. While Beverly D’Angelo is still very much a public figure, Anton has stayed out of the spotlight most of his life, save for the occasional appearance with his family. In March 2026, Anton made his first major appearance after four years to attend the premiere of the film “I Live Here Now,” directed by his older half-sister, Julie Pacino. Olivia and their father were also in attendance.

James Blunt Speaks Out: The Truth Behind Hayden Panettiere Allegations

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James Blunt has stepped forward to quell the rumors suggesting he was the “famous British singer” involved in a yacht encounter with Hayden Panettiere when she was merely 18.

The 52-year-old artist recently shared a link to a Substack article on Monday that argued against him being the shadowy musician mentioned in the now passed actress’s memoir “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” which hit shelves the previous year.

In her memoir, the actress, who tragically passed away last week at 36 due to a suspected overdose, recounted being 18 when a friend introduced her to a British singer-songwriter aboard a yacht. What she encountered was the man lying naked in a cabin bed.

Amateur detectives online had surmised that Blunt was the mystery man in Panettiere’s story. Yet, the Substack piece penned by journalist Dean Piper, which Blunt shared, presented evidence that the timeline disproves those claims.

In recent interactions with the Daily Mail, Blunt’s representatives firmly refuted any allegations insinuating that the singer was the person referred to in Panettiere’s book.

Piper had pointed out that a photo of Blunt and Panettiere from Cannes in 2009 was actually taken when the actress was 19 years old, nearly 20, at the time.

James Blunt has addressed the speculation that he was the 'famous British singer' who Hayden Panettiere was put into bed with aboard a yacht when she was 18 by supporting a denial

James Blunt has addressed the speculation that he was the ‘famous British singer’ who Hayden Panettiere was put into bed with aboard a yacht when she was 18 by supporting a denial 

The 52-year-old You're Beautiful singer shared a link to a Substack article on Monday which argued that he was not the unnamed musician from the late actress's memoir - This Is Me: A Reckoning - released last year

The 52-year-old You’re Beautiful singer shared a link to a Substack article on Monday which argued that he was not the unnamed musician from the late actress’s memoir – This Is Me: A Reckoning – released last year

The rumors were sparked due to the aforementioned photo and a 2009 article written by Piper, which claimed Blunt and Panettiere were flirty at a charity event the day before being spotted on a boat together.

However, Piper claimed in his new piece if the alleged encounter had happened when Panettiere was 18, there was no way that Blunt had been involved.

Piper goes on to address other factors ruling the British singer-songwriter out, including the size of his penis.

Blunt did not explicitly deny the claim himself but shared Piper’s assertion the rumours were untrue.

Panettiere was found dead of a suspected overdose on August 16 at an Airbnb in Greenville, South Carolina, where she had traveled with on-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson, a native of the state. 

Hickerson and his brother, Zach, were both at the scene when Panettiere was pronounced dead. 

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has joined the probe into the actress’s death.

Meanwhile, in Panettiere’s memoir released last year, she detailed the aforementioned encounter with an unnamed British singer-songwriter.

In the book, the actress ¿ who died aged 36 of a suspected overdose last week ¿ wrote that she was 18 when a friend brought her onto a yacht to meet a British singer-songwriter who was in his 30s at the time, only for her to walk into a cabin and find the man naked in bed

In the book, the actress – who died aged 36 of a suspected overdose last week – wrote that she was 18 when a friend brought her onto a yacht to meet a British singer-songwriter who was in his 30s at the time, only for her to walk into a cabin and find the man naked in bed

Many internet sleuths online had speculated it was Blunt (seen June 2025) who was the unnamed man from the memoir, however, the Substack article shared by Blunt, which was written by journalist Dean Piper, claimed that the timeline does not fit

Many internet sleuths online had speculated it was Blunt (seen June 2025) who was the unnamed man from the memoir, however, the Substack article shared by Blunt, which was written by journalist Dean Piper, claimed that the timeline does not fit

A photo of Blunt and Panettiere from Cannes in 2009 was actually taken when the actress was 19 years old (Left to right: Blunt, Justin Long, Panettiere and Diana Jenkins in Cannes back in May 2009)

A photo of Blunt and Panettiere from Cannes in 2009 was actually taken when the actress was 19 years old (Left to right: Blunt, Justin Long, Panettiere and Diana Jenkins in Cannes back in May 2009)

Writing in a chapter titled Trust, Panettiere wrote how she was traveling on a super yacht with other celebrities cruising around the South of France.

Panettiere says that she was traveling with a ‘trusted’ female friend, who ultimately encouraged her to get into bed with the singer.

It was claimed that the women spent multiple days aboard the yacht, in which they swam in the sea, danced long into the night and rubbed elbows with the ship’s other famous passengers.

But Panettiere alleges that her trip took a more disturbing course one night, when her trusted friend interrupted her dinner to ask her to come below deck to meet someone.

After stepping into a private cabin, she writes that she came face-to-face with a ‘famous thirtysomething British singer–songwriter’ who was shirtless in his bed, with the sheets covering his lower body.

‘”Oh my God,” I thought. “Is he naked under there?”‘ Panettiere wrote.

She adds that her friend then whispered, ‘I want you to get in bed with him,’ then left her and the unnamed man alone in his cabin.

Panettiere writes that she did as she was told at first but her mind and body soon became disconnected.

Writing in a chapter titled Trust, Panettiere wrote how she was traveling on a super yacht with other celebrities cruising around the South of France; pictured in 2022

Writing in a chapter titled Trust, Panettiere wrote how she was traveling on a super yacht with other celebrities cruising around the South of France; pictured in 2022

Panettiere writes that her friend led her to a private cabin where the famous man was undressed and under his sheets. Her friend allegedly whispered, 'I want you to get in bed with him'; pictured in a publicity still for Heroes from 2006

Panettiere writes that her friend led her to a private cabin where the famous man was undressed and under his sheets. Her friend allegedly whispered, ‘I want you to get in bed with him’; pictured in a publicity still for Heroes from 2006

‘My body no longer felt like my own,’ she wrote.

According to the memoir, Panettiere added her experience as a child actor, who was constantly being ‘managed’ by adults, had instilled in her a sense of blind trust in others, even when her instincts suggested that was unwise.

‘As soon as the door clicked closed, my survival instinct kicked in,’ she continues.

Panettiere claims that she told the famous anonymous man, ‘Look… I don’t know what she said to you, but this is not going to happen.’

Then, she ran out of the room and back to her cabin, where she booked a hotel on the mainland for safer accommodations and prepared to disembark.

Panettiere, who says the incident made her feel as if she had been betrayed by her friend, describes it as feeling as if she had been ‘kicked in the face.’

‘She’d confided in me, pampered me and treated me like her best friend – then turned around and treated me like a call girl,’ Panettiere alleges.

NYPD Uncovers Migrant Sewer Scavengers Near Penn Station

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NEW YORK — In a peculiar scene near Penn Station, the NYPD has launched an investigation after surveillance footage captured three individuals emerging from a manhole. Clad in overalls and headlamps, this unusual sighting occurred last week.

Authorities suggest that these underground explorers, often caught on camera, are believed to be migrants in search of valuable items within the city’s sewer system.

Despite the oddity of the act, recent cases, including this one by Penn Station, have not resulted in arrests. Police have managed to track down some of the individuals involved in other similar incidents, charging them with minor offenses. However, those charges were often dismissed, especially for first-time offenders, or in some cases, prosecution was not pursued at all.

The New York Police Department is currently examining video evidence depicting a group climbing out of the sewer on Seventh Avenue near 32nd Street last Tuesday at the early hour of 4 a.m.

As of the latest update, police are actively searching for three suspects connected to the incident on August 18.

Detectives learned of a scavenger culture in places like Venezuela, which saw a surge of nationals into the city during the immigration crisis, beginning in 2022.

Inspections following recent incidents found no threat to the infrastructure.

City officials stress that sneaking into manholes is “both illegal and extremely dangerous.”

“DEP works closely with our public safety partners to help ensure the safety and security of critical infrastructure throughout New York City. Entering the sewer system is both illegal and extremely dangerous. Sewers can contain numerous hazards, including noxious and potentially deadly gases, unstable surfaces, flooding risks, and confined spaces. For these reasons, members of the public should never enter a pipe, drain, catch basin, manhole, or outfall,” a DEP spokesperson said.

Matt McCann is a construction worker in the area, and he says he’s seen the underground trespassers before.

“I don’t know what the hell they’re doing down there because they get the waders on. You know, they got their coal miners caps going on,” McCann said.

New York City’s sewer system is made up of an elaborate and winding network of 7,400 miles of wastewater and stormwater pipes constructed in the 1800s.

Earlier this summer, surveillance video captured small groups of people exiting the sewer system in Brooklyn and Queens as well.

There were four arrests in the previous incidents in Williamsburg and Gravesend in May, where those who were charged told police they were scavenging for valuables.

There was at least one incident in Queens that resulted in an arrest, but charges were ultimately not pursued.

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Avoid Costly Tax Mistakes: Essential Tips for Australians

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In Australia, parting with your preloved clothes or household items online has never been more convenient. Platforms such as eBay, Depop, and Facebook Marketplace, alongside new players like Vinted, have eased or eliminated seller fees, contingent on location, item value, and sales volume.

But at what point must you report your online sales income to the Australian Taxation Office and remit taxes?

The rules surrounding this are as tangled as a cluttered closet. Notably, there is no specific sales threshold in Australia that automatically incurs tax obligations.

To navigate this complex landscape, consider if your sales constitute merely cleaning out your wardrobe to fund a new wardrobe, disposing of high-value assets, or venturing into business territory.

Tracking 600 million transactions a year

Major online marketplaces, including eBay and Amazon, are obligated to share comprehensive transaction data with the tax authorities.

What about selling goods on other platforms? The tax office may be tracking that too. Its tentacles are vast, with more than 600 million transactions reported and matched to taxpayers every year from a wide variety of private and public sources.

Even if a platform is not required to report, the transactions may still be captured through credit and debit card payment systems, such as Stripe or Square.

The tax office can also request information from the banks. It may even gather information via insurers on unexplained wealth based on “lifestyle assets” – such as cars, boats or art – you may own. There are also examples of taxpayers being caught out with unexplained deposits leading to hefty tax bills.

Is it just a hobby?

Let’s say you found a dress in your wardrobe that you bought for A$250, wore once, but don’t like. So you decide to sell it on eBay or Amazon, rather than giving it away.

You list it and sell it for $100. While you’ve now got $100 more than before, you have really lost $150 overall.

This is not a sound business model. Anything you sell actually comes at a cost to you; think profit, not just sales.

The tax office is unlikely to be interested in these types of occasional, low-value, generally loss-making personal-type activities.

In this scenario, where you’re just cashing in on your existing wardrobe, the tax office is likely to consider it private in nature and just a “hobby”.

This is unlikely to create a tax bill. However, you still may need to declare certain activity and have records to support your position.

When does online selling become a business?

What happens when you go from selling just a few old dresses to spotting a market opportunity? Perhaps you start to develop a pattern of buying vintage clothes from friends, family and op shops and selling them at a markup?

Now you’re putting in time and money with the aim of making a profit.

That sort of activity makes it more likely for the tax office to see it as a “business”.

A business typically involves repeated and continuous activities. For example, regularly buying items to resell online for profit would be more likely to be considered a business.

Another factor to consider is how systematic you are being. Are you acting in a “business-like” manner? For example, the kind of records you keep, and whether you advertise beyond family and friends, will both be relevant.

No minimum sales to be a business

While the value of sales can be a factor, be careful, as there is no clear dollar threshold for when activities will be considered a business.

But what data the tax office collects from eBay and Amazon provides a clue as to when you’re more likely to be asked questions. Amazon and eBay both share data for people who sell goods worth a total of A$12,000 or more in a particular year.

Earning more or less than that amount does not rule you in or out of running a business, and whether your activities are taxable or not. But if you are earning more than $12,000, you will be on the radar of the tax office – and more likely to be asked to explain your activities.

If you are running a business, you will need to declare income and can claim allowable expenses. You need to pay tax on the net business income.

Consider other tax obligations too. For instance, do you need an Australian Business Number (ABN)? Should you register for the goods and services tax (GST)? If you’re unsure, the federal government’s business website has useful resources.

When in doubt, get advice

Even if you only sell online occasionally, the tax office may be more interested if it involves higher valued goods — such as jewellery originally purchased for more than $500, or other personal items purchased for more than $10,000 – which you’re now trying to sell.

For these more valuable sales, any gain you make – if you managed to sell it for more than you originally paid – is taxable.

However, it gets a little murky if you have made a loss. In general, the tax office restricts how to use losses for these higher valued personal items.

If you’re still unsure whether your online selling is just a hobby, if you’re about to sell a valuable asset, or think you might have crossed over into running a business, don’t risk it — speak to a registered tax practitioner for advice.

Elizabeth Morton is a senior lecturer at Curtin Law School, Curtin University.

She has previously been contracted to co-facilitate a short-term training contract for tax and crypto facilitated by UNSW for the Australian Taxation Office and is currently a member of the ATO’s Crypto Industry Working Group. This is unrelated to this article. Elizabeth has not received grant funding directly related to the content of this article. Elizabeth is a chartered accountant, fellow of the Tax Institute and member of the Institute of Public Accountants.

Lisa Greig is a lecturer in taxation law for accountants at the University of Melbourne.

She is affiliated with the Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand, The Tax Institute and the Institute of Public Accountants. She has previously been contracted to co-facilitate a short-term training contract for tax and crypto facilitated by UNSW for the Australian Taxation Office.

Disclaimer: This is not tax advice, it is for educational purposes only. Taxpayers should seek advice from a registered tax agent or suitably qualified professional.


The Conversation

Explosive Transfer Secrets Revealed: Arsenal’s Alvarez Pursuit, Chelsea’s Midfield Dilemma, Leeds’ Signing Spree

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With only a week left before the transfer window shuts, Premier League clubs are still fervently working to finalize crucial deals.

Collectively, the 20 top-tier clubs have splurged over £2 billion this summer. Leading the big-money moves are three standout deals: Morgan Rogers’ switch from Aston Villa to Chelsea for £117 million, Elliot Anderson’s leap from Nottingham Forest to Manchester City at £116 million, and Sandro Tonali’s transfer from Newcastle United to Tottenham Hotspur for £100 million.

Yet, the transfer hustle is far from over. Clubs are scrambling to refine their lineups before the closing bell rings, indicating there’s still plenty of action left in this summer’s transfer market.

Arsenal

Arsenal is on the hunt for a new striker. Their top target is Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid, though Alvarez’s own aspirations point towards Barcelona. However, with Atletico reluctant to see that move happen, Arsenal might yet seize the opportunity, especially if tensions rise. Meanwhile, Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen remains a viable alternative for the Gunners.

A left winger. Al Hilal are closing on a £50million deal for Gabriel Martinelli while Ethan Nwaneri is expected to go out on loan and Reiss Nelson is poised to join West Ham.

Everton’s £80million-rated Iliman Ndiaye is among those Arsenal admire for left wing.

Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez is Arsenal's dream striker target, but the Argentina is more keen on a move to Barcelona

Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez is Arsenal’s dream striker target, but the Argentina is more keen on a move to Barcelona

Aston Villa

A striker and centre-back. They are primed to bid for Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson with Ollie Watkins poised to join Al Hilal and have had bids rejected for Taylor Harwood-Bellis at Southampton.

Enquiries are ongoing for Joel Ordonez of Club Brugge and Tosin Adarabioyo of Chelsea.

Free agent Leon Goretzka is poised to add experience in midfield.

Bournemouth

Bournemouth are considering adding a No6 and a No10, plus a winger. Main objective has been to keep their squad together with clubs circling for Alex Scott, Tyler Adams, El Junior Kroupi and Marcus Tavernier. Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio flew in on Monday ahead of completing his loan move.

The option to buy is £12.5million plus £2million in bonuses and there is a £1million penalty if that option is not taken up.

Brentford

A left wing-back is the target and West Ham’s El Hadji Malick Diouf has been one throughout the summer.

Defender Ethan Pinnock is joining Coventry City for £6million. They would like another midfielder and have considered a loan for Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk. Also wary of late bids for Igor Thiago.

Brighton

A winger or two. Liverpool want Yankuba Minteh but there is some distance between valuations.

Amario Cozier-Duberry also has offers from Rangers and Wolves. Brighton have asked about Femi Azeez at Millwall and Deportivo La Coruna’s Yeremay Hernandez.

The club are working on a deal for BSC Young Boys left-back Jaouen Hadjam. 

Chelsea

Focus has been on getting players out. However, if Manchester City firm up interest in Enzo Fernandez they would want a replacement in first. 

Monaco’s Lamine Camara, Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace and Bournemouth’s Alex Scott are admired. 

Their £100million valuation of Pedro Neto and £75million price tag on Malo Gusto have deterred bids but both have interest from rival clubs. Juventus winger Conceicao is on their radar should anyone match their Neto price. 

Nottingham Forest spoke to Chelsea on Monday night about a deal for striker Liam Delap. 

Real Sociedad are pushing to sign Mamadou Sarr on loan from Chelsea.

Brentford have considered a move for Chelsea's Mykhailo Mudryk

Brentford have considered a move for Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk

Coventry City

Coventry are open to late opportunities to strengthen across the team but would like more options in defence and wing. They had interest in Milan’s Fikayo Tomori plus Porto’s Francisco Moura and are closing on a £6million deal for Brentford’s Ethan Pinnock. But Stephen Mfuni’s loan move from Manchester City is off.

Crystal Palace

They would like a forward, winger, midfielder and centre-back.

Galatasaray continue to circle for Ismaila Sarr and Adam Wharton is a last-minute option for some despite Palace saying they won’t sell. Palace have also rebuffed Aston Villa interest in Jean-Philippe Mateta. 

Axel Disasi is due to sign from Chelsea while they want a midfielder after Monaco rejected their offers for Lamine Camara. Auxerre’s Kevin Danois and West Ham’s Soungoutou Magassa are among their targets.

They have also checked on Roma midfielder Neil El Aynaoui. 

Everton

A right-back, left-back, midfielder, winger and striker. David Moyes wants more quality in depth after they fell short of Europe last season. Chelsea’s Liam Delap is among the forwards being considered. 

Fulham

A centre-back, midfielder and winger. They have had bids rejected for Rennes defender Abdelhamid Ait-Boudlal and Trabzonspor’s Chibuike Nwaiwu. Ethan Nwaneri of Arsenal is admired. 

Hull City

A forward, a winger, and goalkeeping cover are the targets. They are progressing for Mohamed Ali-Cho from Nice and Union Berlin forward Ilya Ansah. 

Ipswich Town

Defence, midfield and attack is where Gary O’Neil would like to add. Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Exequiel Palacios is one he is chasing while they are one of many keen on Liam Delap. 

Chelsea's Liam Delap is admired by many clubs and Forest are holding talks over a move

Chelsea’s Liam Delap is admired by many clubs and Forest are holding talks over a move

Leeds United

A winger, striker, defender, goalkeeper. Chelsea have rejected their latest loan bid for Mykhaylo Mudryk. They may add free agent defender Diogo Leite. Frankfurt ‘keeper Michael Zetterer has held talks over a £4.3m move. 

Leeds have held talks with Eintracht Frankfurt goalkeeper Michael Zetterer (right)

Leeds have held talks with Eintracht Frankfurt goalkeeper Michael Zetterer (right)

Liverpool

They are chasing two wingers. Bradley Barcola at Paris Saint-Germain and Yankuba Minteh of Brighton are the current targets. If there is no breakthrough on fees soon they will have to consider alternatives, but both players want to join. 

Manchester City

A forward, midfielder, and right-back are on the list. Ayyoub Bouaddi is on his way from Lille and winger Allan Elias is set to join from Palmeiras after the clubs agreed a £34m deal.

Enzo Fernandez remains an expensive option for City who also admire Roma’s Manu Kone and Adam Wharton of Palace. Jack Grealish could stay as Omar Marmoush follows Savinho to Spurs.

Manchester United

They would like a left-back and a forward. An enquiry for Newcastle’s Lewis Hall was rejected and despite a limit on what iis left to spend, they have checked on Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde and Jorge Salinas of Santander. Juventus or Aston Villa could bid for Joshua Zirkzee to provide funds for a new forward. 

Newcastle United

A midfield organiser is the key and they are closing in on an agreement for Manchester City’s Nico Gonzalez. They have also asked about Tottenham’s Archie Gray.

Versatile Lille forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo is also one they are discussing.

Talks have advanced between Newcastle and Manchester City over a move for Spanish midfielder Nico Gonzalez

Talks have advanced between Newcastle and Manchester City over a move for Spanish midfielder Nico Gonzalez

Nottingham Forest

A striker, right-back and midfielder. They are talking to Chelsea about Liam Delap and have also discussed Everton’s Beto and Igor Thiago of Brentford for the striker option. Spurs’ Lucas Bergvall and Barcelona’s Marc Casado plus Auxerre’s Kevin Danois are in the mix too and Fiorentina right-back Dodo is the latest in their sights. 

Sunderland

Their midfield has been bolstered by the arrival of Jules Ahoka for £8million from Royal Antwerp. They are also working to add a right winger with talks ongoing over a £30million deal for Sporting Lisbon’s Geny Catamo. Goalkeeper Robin Roefs is in talks over a new contract.

Tottenham Hotspur 

Wanted are two forwards and right back cover. Savinho has joined from Manchester City and Omar Marmoush will follow on an initial loan. Spurs are also trying an ambitious move for Cody Gakpo from Liverpool but hold interest in Chelsea’s Pedro Neto among others as a back-up .