Schedule C is attached to Form 1040, a form you will use to inform the IRS about the profit and loss of your small business the previous year. The IRS will then use this information to calculate your taxable profit.
Different categories of business report their income through Schedule C as follows:
Now that you know what Schedule C is, here's a step-by-step guide to filing the form:
Gather detailed information of the income earned through your business during the financial year from 1st January to 31st December. Prepare a profit and loss statement and include details like the cost of goods sold and the value of your inventory.
You should also make a list of total business expenses for the year. The costs would typically include office expenses, stationery, wages, miscellaneous expenses, and petty cash. It's worth noting that entertainment expenses are not deductible anymore.
Next, you need to compute your business's income and gross profit. The variables include:
Your business expenses should include depreciation, employee benefits, and insurance (but not health insurance). You can also add interest on mortgages and other business-related debts, along with legal and professional fees if any.
Your business expenses list can also include the cost of leasing business equipment, vehicles, office expenses, profit sharing, and pension payouts. You can include “other” expenses in line 27 like telephone bills, internet, and software.
Here, you provide additional information like details of your home (if you work from there) and expenses related to your vehicle. You will also need to provide other miscellaneous details, which your tax expert can guide you on.
This final step involves calculating your net income and/or providing details of any losses. Once done, you can now add your Schedule C form to your tax return.
Many scenarios call for completing more than one Schedule C. Check the requirements with your auditor for more information.
Whether you have a single-member LLC or a sole proprietorship, you must file your Schedule C. All profits and losses must be reported.
Once you have officially declared yourself a business to make a profit, the IRS will consider that. They will not be concerned whether or not you made a profit – you need to report your profits and losses as long as you are a registered business.
Although you can deduct certain expenses when you work from a home office, there are some pretty strict rules about this scenario. Charging personal expenses randomly because a business is based out of a residence can lead to rejection and heavy penalties.
At first glance, the Schedule C form can seem overwhelming. But with the relevant information at hand, accurate and up-to-date financial records, and a competent bookkeeping service like Fincent, completing it is a straightforward process.
The best way to make your tax season easier is to start planning early. We bring to you our top tips to make the next tax season less painful.
Are you unsure about which business expenses to write off in order to save your money? Here's a list of tax deductions your small business can write off.