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Business Income/Rental Income

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Depreciation – Reports

TaxAct® provides depreciation reports for federal and state returns. The report includes the current year and next year details. A disposal summary is also available. To review or print the Depreciation Summary in the TaxAct program, follow the steps below. Online From within your TaxAct return, click Review. On smaller devices, click the top-left corner […]

Schedules C and F – Standard Mileage Rate for Vehicles

The IRS updates the mileage rates each year. See the Mileage – Standard Mileage Rates for updated information. If your mileage is related to your self-employed business income on Schedule C, you will enter it when entering other expenses on Schedule C (Form 1040). See the Schedule C – Entering Sole Proprietorship in Program FAQ […]

IRS Notice 2014-7 – Difficulty of Care Payments

If you provide care to an individual who has a physical, mental, or emotional handicap, the difficulty of care payments you receive are generally excluded from income. Review the information below to determine how to report these payments, if necessary, on your tax return. See the IRS Certain Medicaid Waiver Payments May Be Excludable From […]

Schedule C – Deleting from Form 1099-MISC Entries

When you enter information from a Form 1099-MISC or a Form 1099-NEC you may accidentally create a second Schedule C (Form 1040). If you manually create a Schedule C in addition to the one created while entering Form 1099-NEC or 1099-MISC, you may have two Schedules C that need to be consolidated. Use the FAQ […]

Qualified Business Income Deduction – Sole Proprietor Income

You can enter Qualified Business Income (QBI) related to self-employed or sole proprietor income when entering the details about that Sole Proprietorship. See Schedule C – Entering Sole Proprietorship in Program for details.    Related Links IRS Publication 535 Qualified Business Income Deduction – General Information Qualified Business Income Deduction – Pass-Through Partnership Income Qualified […]

Qualified Business Income Deduction – Rental or Real Estate Income

You can enter Qualified Business Income (QBI) for a rental property when entering the details about that rental property. See Schedule E – Entering Rental Property in Program for details.  Related Links IRS Qualified Business Income Deduction Qualified Business Income Deduction – General Information Qualified Business Income Deduction – Pass-Through Partnership Income Qualified Business Income […]

Depreciation Recapture – Section 179 – Business Use Drops Below 50%

Review IRS Publication 946 for details on when you must recapture excess depreciation. To access Form 4797, go to our Form 4797 – Sale of Business Property Sale of Asset Entry into Program FAQ. During the interview, click Yes for Form 4797 – Other Topics, then on the next screen, check the box Check here […]

Qualified Business Income Deduction – View Entries

To view a summary of your QBI deductions, follow the steps below.  Online Dashboard From within your TaxAct return, click Resources.  On smaller devices, click the menu at the top left corner of your screen, then make your selection. Under My Return, click Federal Search.  Click the Business Income drop-down, then click Qualified business income (QBI) […]

Qualified Business Income Deduction – Pass-Through Partnership Income

Schedule K-1 from a Partnership reports Section 199A information in Box 20, Code Z. You should also have a larger K-1 Statement attached that contains more detailed information that will be used to calculate the Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction. The QBI deduction is a deduction of up to 20% of qualified business income, plus […]

Qualified Business Income Deduction – Pass-Through S Corporation Income

Schedule K-1 from an S Corporation reports Section 199A information in Box 17, Code V. You may also have a larger K-1 Statement attached that contains more detailed information that will be used to calculate the Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction. The QBI deduction is a deduction of up to 20% of qualified business income, […]

Form 4684 – Casualty and Theft Loss on Property Used 100% for Business

If you have a casualty and/or theft loss on property used 100% for business, you will report the loss on Form 4684, Casualties and Thefts, in Section B for business property. To report casualty/theft loss on property used 100% for business on Form 4684 in the TaxAct program, follow the steps below. Once this information has […]

Schedule K-1 (Form 1065) – Entering in Program

To enter or review information on Schedule K-1 (Form 1065), Partner’s Share of Income, Deductions, Credits, etc., follow the steps below.  Online Dashboard From within your TaxAct return, click Income.  On smaller devices, click the menu at the top left corner of your screen, then make your selection. Click the Business & Self Employed drop-down. Click […]

Schedule K-1 (Form 1041) – Entering in Program

To enter or review a beneficiary’s share of income, deductions and/or credits in the TaxAct program, from the information on Schedule K-1 (Form 1041), Beneficiary’s Share of Income, Deductions, Credits, etc., follow the steps below.  Online Dashboard From within your TaxAct return, click Income.  On smaller devices, click the menu at the top left corner […]

Form 1099-MISC – Federal or State Withholding

When you enter federal and/or state withholding amounts reported to you on Form 1099-MISC, the TaxAct program transfers the information to the appropriate line(s) of the other forms. If you have multiple amounts to enter you would combine them into one entry (one entry for the federal withheld amounts and one for the state withheld […]

Form 1099-MISC – Entering in Program

To enter Form 1099-MISC, follow the steps below. Online Dashboard From within your TaxAct return, click Income.  On smaller devices, click the menu at the top left corner of your screen, then make your selection. If the 1099-MISC is related to your business or rental, click the Business & Self Employed drop-down and click Add beside the […]

Form 1099-MISC – Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

If you received a Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Income, instead of a Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, the income you received is considered non-employee compensation or self-employment income. You need to complete Schedule C or Schedule F in the TaxAct program and then enter your Form 1099-MISC information. You may also need to complete Schedule […]

Schedule E – Entering Rental Property in Program

To enter or review information for Schedule E (Form 1040), follow the steps below.  You may receive Form 1099-MISC or Form 1099-K reporting income or transactions related to your rental or royalty income. You will be able to enter information for those income forms during the Schedule E interview process. Online Dashboard From within your […]

Schedule C – Entering Sole Proprietorship in Program

If you own a business, freelance, or earn money through gig work, you are generally considered self-employed. Enter the income and expenses related to your business on Schedule C, following the steps below.  You may receive Form 1099-NEC or Form 1099-K reporting income or transactions related to your self-employment. You will select all applicable income […]

Schedule F – Entering Farm Income in Program

To add information about your farm, filed on Federal Schedule F, follow these steps.  Online Dashboard From within your TaxAct return, click Income. On smaller devices, click the menu at the top left corner of your screen, then make your selection.  Expand the Business & Self Employed section.  Click Add beside Farm Income (Schedule F).  […]

Hobby Income and Expenses

If you are not engaged in the activity for profit, then the activity may be considered a hobby. You are still required to report hobby income on your tax return. See IRS Publication 17 for details. NOTE: You may not claim hobby expenses (at least through 2025, pending further legislation).   Online Dashboard From within […]

Form 1099-K – Merchant Card and Third-Party Network Payments

Form 1099-K is required to be issued by payment card companies, payment apps and online marketplaces to report payments made in settlement of reportable payment transactions. Like Form W-2 or 1099-NEC, this form will be issued to the taxpayer and the IRS by the issuer. See the FAQ Form 1099-K – Entering in Program for […]

Form 1099-K – Entering in Program

Form 1099-K is required to be issued by payment card companies, payment apps and online marketplaces to report payments made in settlement of reportable payment transactions. Like Form W-2 or 1099-NEC, this form will be issued to the taxpayer and the IRS by the issuer. See the IRS Instructions for Form 1099-K for a list […]

Form 1099-G – Box 7 – Agricultural Payments

Refer to IRS Publication 225 Farmer’s Tax Guide for complete instructions. Most government program payments are reported on Schedule F, Part I. This includes government payments, conservation program payments, indemnity payments for livestock killed by a natural disaster, cost-sharing payments, and forage disaster payments (cash, materials, services, etc.). If a government payment is paid and […]

Independent Contractors

An independent contractor or self-employed individual should report income on Schedule C (Form 1040). You may need to file other schedules and forms, including Schedule SE (Form 1040) on income from a trade or business. You must report all income, even if you did not receive a Form 1099-NEC. See IRS Instructions for Schedule C […]

Schedules L, M-1, and M-2 (Form 1065) – Printing Blank?

Schedules L, M-1, and M-2 are not required if the partnership meets all four of the following conditions: The partnership’s total receipts for the tax year were less than $250,000. The partnership’s total assets at the end of the tax year were less than $1 million. Schedule K-1s are filed with the return and furnished […]

Form 1099-MISC – Payer Made Direct Sales of $5,000 or More

To report or edit Form 1099-MISC Miscellaneous Income Box 7 (if you need help accessing Form 1099-MISC in the TaxAct program, go to our Form 1099-MISC – Entering in Program FAQ): From within your Form 1099-MISC, continue with the interview process until you reach the screen titled 1099-MISC: Enter information on form. Click the checkbox next to Box 7 – […]

Schedule K-1 (Form 1065) – Figuring Adjusted Basis of Partnership Interest

Partners may not be able to deduct the entire loss or deduction that was reported on Schedule K-1 on their own return. Basis, at-risk, and passive activity limits are applied to partner’s deductions or losses in that specific order based on IRS guidelines. Further ReadingPartner’s Instructions for Schedule K-1 (Form 1065) Publication 541Publication 551 Note […]

Schedule K-1 (Form 1065) – Unreimbursed Partnership Expenses

Enter unreimbursed partnership expenses (not deductible as an itemized deduction on Schedule A (Form 1040) Itemized Deductions), directly on the Schedule K-1 (Form 1065) in the Additional Information section. The total amount of unreimbursed partnership expenses will flow to Schedule E (Form 1040) Supplemental Income and Loss, on page 2. The name on Line 28 […]

Schedule C – Entering Business Expenses in Program

To enter or review business expenses on your Schedule C in the TaxAct program (if you need help accessing Schedule C, go to our Schedule C – Entering Sole Proprietorship in Program FAQ): From within your Schedule C, continue with the interview process until you reach the screen titled Great! Let’s get started on expenses for this […]

Employee or Independent Contractor

Are you an employee or independent contractor? The answer is important for tax purposes because it shapes how you report your income. When you are an employee, your employer must withhold income tax and your portion of Social Security and Medicare taxes (unless exempt). You’ll receive a Form W-2 Wage and Tax Statement that shows […]

Schedule E – Allocation of Rental and Personal Expenses

If you use your dwelling unit for both rental and personal purposes, divide your expenses between the rental use and the personal use based on the number of days used for each purpose. You will allocate your expenses based on the number of personal days as compared to the number of rental days. The personal […]

Form 1099-MISC – Medical and Health Care Payments

If you receive a Form 1099-MISC with an entry in Box 6 for medical and health care payments, you need to report it in the TaxAct program and have the TaxAct program transfer the information to Schedule C.  You need to create a Schedule C before you report Form 1099-MISC and assign it to Schedule […]

Form 1099-MISC – Other Income

If you need help reporting Form 1099-MISC in the TaxAct program, go to our Form 1099-MISC – Entering in Program FAQ. Generally, report this amount from Form 1099-MISC Miscellaneous Income, Box 3 on the Other Income line of Schedule 1 (Form 1040) Additional Income and Adjustments to Income, Line 8. The amount reported in Box 3 […]

Form 1099-MISC – Rents

Enter or review the information for Form 1099-MISC Box 1 – Rents If you need help accessing Form 1099-MISC in the TacAct program, go to our Form 1099-MISC – Entering in Program FAQ): From within your Form 1099-MISC, continue with the interview process until you reach the screen titled 1099-MISC: Enter information on form. Click the data […]

Business – Use of Home – Depreciation 39 Years

Depreciation on your home is deductible only if you use your home for business. Per IRS Publication 587 Business Use of Your Home (Including Use by Daycare Providers), page 8: Figuring the depreciation deduction for the current year. If you began using your home for business before 2023, continue to use the same depreciation method […]

Form 8829 – Entering in Program

Form 8829 Expenses for Business Use of Your Home is used to figure the allowable expenses for business use of your home on Schedule C (Form 1040) Profit or Loss From Business. Do not use Form 8829 if you are claiming expenses as an employee or partner, or if you are claiming expenses on Schedule […]

Form 1099-MISC – Entering Nonqualified Deferred Compensation in Program

To report or edit Form 1099-MISC Miscellaneous Income, Box 15 -Nonqualified deferred compensation (if you need help accessing Form 1099-MISC in the TaxAct program, go to our Form 1099-MISC – Entering in Program FAQ): From within your Form 1099-MISC, continue with the interview process until you reach the screen titled 1099-MISC: Enter information on form. Click the […]

How to enter Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans

Follow the steps for your return type to enter forgiven PPP loans For 1065 returns through Q&A: Generally, the tax-exempt income resulting from the forgiveness of a PPP loan is reported on Schedule K, line 18b. To enter the tax-exempt income from the PPP loan: 1. From within your TaxAct return (Online or Desktop), click […]

Qualified Business Income Deduction – General information

Per IRS Publication 535, Business Expenses, page 5: Capital Versus Deductible Expenses Deduction for qualified business income. For tax years beginning after 2017, you may be entitled to take a deduction of up to 20% of your qualified business income from your qualified trade or business, plus 20% of the aggregate amount of qualified real […]

Asset Classes

> Car Four-wheeled vehicle made for use on public roads and rated at 6,000 pounds or less of unloaded gross vehicle weight. > Light Truck/SUV Truck or SUV rated at 6,000 pounds or less of unloaded gross vehicle weight. > Heavy Truck Vehicles used mainly for business because they are designed for business purposes; for […]

Form 1099-MISC – Assignment Worksheet

To assign Form(s) 1099-MISC Miscellaneous Income to Schedule C (Form 1040) Profit or Loss From Business or Schedule(s) E Supplemental Income and Loss (if you need help accessing Form 1099-MISC in the TaxAct program, go to our Form 1099-MISC – Entering in Program FAQ): From within your Form 1099-MISC, continue with the interview process until you […]

Schedule C – Business Activity Codes

IRS business activity codes are for your principal business or professional activity. For a list of business activity codes, see Instructions for Schedule C Profit or Loss From Business. Choose the category that best describes your sole proprietorship’s primary business activity (for example, real estate) and select the activity that best identifies the source of […]

Reporting Income – Direct Sales

As a sales representative for a direct sales company, you have an obligation to report income earned through that business for tax purposes. At tax time, the direct sales company will send Form 1099-NEC Nonemployee Compensation (if value is above $5,000) or Form 1099-MISC Miscellaneous Compensation and would report any prizes/incentives as Box 3 income. A copy of […]

Form 8582 – Schedule K-1 Passive Losses

If your Schedule K-1 is showing unallowed prior year losses and current year unallowed losses in Box 2, but prior year unallowed losses are not showing on Form 8582 Passive Activity Loss Limitations, you have most likely indicated an amount in Box 1 as nonpassive and an amount in Box 2 as passive on the […]

Depreciation – Limits on Passenger Automobiles – Vehicles and Light Trucks

There are limits on the amounts of depreciation you can take per year for Passenger Automobiles. Per the IRS, the limits you can deduct are based on the date you placed the automobile in service. For example, a $100,000 vehicle placed in service in 2019, you are allowed to deduct $18,000 for the first year, […]

Form 4797 – Sale of Rental Home and Land – Depreciable and Nondepreciable

If you disposed of both depreciable property and other property (for example, a building and land) in the same transaction and realized a gain, you must allocate the amount realized between the two types of property based on their respective Fair Market Values (FMVs) to figure the part of the gain to be recaptured as […]

Simplified Option for Home Office Deduction

Per the IRS Simplified Option for Home Office Deduction webpage: Beginning in tax year 2013 (returns filed in 2014), taxpayers may use a simplified option when figuring the deduction for business use of their home. Note: This simplified option does not change the criteria for who may claim a home office deduction. It merely simplifies […]

Form 1099-MISC – Errors That Could Prompt a Notice

There are many reasons you could have received a notice regarding your Form 1099-MISC Miscellaneous Income. The most common reasons are listed below: The form was never entered into the TaxAct program and the income was not reported elsewhere on the return. Entry error: Example of a transposed number: The number that should have been […]

Form 1120-S – No Self Employment Tax on S-Corporation Income

Per IRS Instructions for Form 1120-S U.S. Income Tax Return for an S Corporation, on page 21: Schedules K and K-1 (General Instructions) Purpose of Schedules The corporation is liable for taxes on lines 22a, 22b, and 22c on page 1 of Form 1120-S. Shareholders are liable for tax on their shares of the corporation’s […]

Schedule K-1 (Form 1065) – Publicly Traded Partnerships

TaxAct® supports Publicly Traded Partnerships (PTPs). Per IRS Partner’s Instructions for Schedule K-1 (Form 1065) Partner’s Share of Income, Deductions, Credits, etc. (For Partner’s Use Only), on page 5: Publicly traded partnerships (PTP). The passive activity limitations are applied separately for items (other than the low-income housing credit and the rehabilitation credit) from each PTP. Thus, a net passive […]

Schedule K-1 (Form 1065) – Loss Limitations

While the at-risk limitations is calculated on IRS Form 6198 At-Risk Limitations and the passive activity limitations is calculated on IRS Form 8582 Passive Activity Loss Limitations, there is not an IRS form for the potential limitations on the amount of partnership losses that you may deduct based on your basis in the partnership. You […]

Schedule K-1 (Form 1120-S) – Figuring Adjusted Basis of Shareholder Interest

Information on shareholder basis can be found in the instructions for Schedule K-1 (Form 1120-S) and Form 7203. Per IRS Shareholder’s Instructions for Schedule K-1 (Form 1120-S) Shareholder’s Share of Income, Deductions, Credits, etc. (For Shareholder’s Use Only), page 2: Basis Limitations Generally, the deduction for your share of aggregate losses and deductions reported on Schedule K-1 […]

Schedule K-1 (Form 1120-S) – Loss Limitations

While the at-risk limitations are calculated on IRS Form 6198 At-Risk Limitations and the passive activity limitations are calculated on IRS Form 8582 Passive Activity Loss Limitations, there is not an IRS form for the potential limitations on the amount of corporate losses that you may deduct based on your basis in the corporation. You would need to enter only […]

Schedule K-1 (Form 1065) – Part II Issued to IRA

If Part II, Item I of your Schedule K-1 (Form 1065) Partner’s Share of Income, Deductions, Credits, etc. indicates that the K-1 was issued to the IRA and not to you as an individual, you should not report the information on your individual income tax return. Federal tax law requires that a Schedule K-1 be sent to every […]

Form 8582 – Passive Losses Limited Based On Modified AGI

Per IRS Instructions for Form 8582 Passive Activity Loss Limitations, starting page 4: Active participation. If you actively participated in a passive rental real estate activity, you may be able to deduct up to $25,000 of loss from the activity from your nonpassive income. This special allowance is an exception to the general rule disallowing […]

Schedule E – Repairs and Improvements

Per IRS Publication 527 Residential Rental Property, page 5: Repairs and Improvements Generally, an expense for repairing or maintaining your rental property may be deducted if you aren’t required to capitalize the expense. Improvements. You must capitalize any expense you pay to improve your rental property. An expense is for an improvement if it results […]

Schedule E – Vacation Home Not Subject to Passive Activity Loss Rules

A vacation home property won’t be considered passive and won’t be entered on Form 8582 Passive Activity Loss Limitations. Per IRS Publication 925 Passive Activity and At-Risk Rules, page 5: Activities That Aren’t Passive Activities 3. The rental of a dwelling unit that you also used for personal purposes during the year for more than […]

Schedule E – Rental Property Closing Costs

Deductible closing costs are generally those for interest, certain mortgage points, and deductible real estate taxes. Other settlement fees and closing costs for buying the property become additions to your basis in the property. These include abstract fees, charges for installing utility services, legal fees, recording fees, surveys, transfer taxes, title insurance, and any amounts […]

Passive Activity Loss Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) Calculation

A rental activity is a passive activity even if you materially participated in that activity, unless you materially participated as a real estate professional. Per IRS Publication 925 Passive Activity and At-Risk Rules, page 4: Phaseout rule. The maximum special allowance of $25,000 ($12,500 for married individuals filing separate returns and living apart at all […]

Form 1099-MISC – Entering Other Income in Program

To report or edit Form 1099-MISC Miscellaneous Income Box 3 – Other income (if you need help reporting Form 1099-MISC in the TaxAct program, go to our Form 1099-MISC – Entering in Program FAQ): From within your Form 1099-MISC, continue with the interview process until you reach the screen titled 1099-MISC: Enter information on form. Click the data entry field below […]

Schedule E – Partial Use Rental Property

If you are depreciating assets used less than 100% for business on Schedule E Supplemental Income and Loss, those assets will be listed on Line 26 or 27 of Form 4562 Depreciation and Amortization (Including Information on Listed Property). To calculate rental expenses for a property in which you live in one part and rent […]

Schedule E – Depreciation of Rental Property

IRS Publication 527 Residential Rental Property (Including Rental of Vacation Homes) provides information for renting out a house or vacation home. Chapter 2 provides information regarding depreciation of rental property. There is a chart in this chapter which provides information regarding the recovery periods for property used in rental activities. Note that any link in […]

Schedule E – Rental Part of Property

To calculate rental expenses for a property in which you live in one part and rent out the other, first calculate the percentage of the rental portion by figuring the square footage of that part compared to the square footage of the entire property. Apply this percentage to each expense and enter those amounts as […]

Schedule E – Rental of Duplex Expenses

To claim rental expenses for a duplex where you live in one unit and rent the other, you would normally enter half of the expense amounts into the program. In a situation when one side of the duplex is larger than the other, you will need to compute the expenses based on square footage. To […]

Schedule E, Page 2 – No Name or EIN off a Schedule K-1

The information from Schedule K-1 will only transfer to Schedule E (Form 1040) Supplemental Income and Loss, page 2, columns (a) though (f) when there are amounts to be reported in columns (g) through (k) on Line 28. Per the IRS, information only needs to be transferred to Part II when passive and non-passive amounts […]

Depreciation – Amortization Code

Go to page 14 of IRS Instructions for Form 4562 Depreciation and Amortization (Including Information on Listed Property), Part VI. Amortization for information for Line 42. Note that any link in the information above is updated each year automatically and will take you to the most recent version of the webpage or document at the […]

Depreciation – Asset Completely Depreciated

For record-keeping purposes, when entering an asset that is completely depreciated, enter the cost basis, prior depreciation, date in service, and the actual life used to depreciate the asset so that no current depreciation will calculate.

Depreciation – Adjusted Cost Basis Calculation Example

Adjusted Cost Basis Calculation Cost basis times business use percentage equals Business portion cost basis Business portion cost basis less Section 179 deduction equals Adjusted cost basis Adjusted cost basis times 30% Special bonus depreciation equals Special bonus depreciation amount Adjusted cost basis less 30% bonus depreciation amount equals Adjusted cost basis to use for […]

Depreciation – Cost Basis

Generally, to find the basis for depreciation: Multiply the cost or other basis of the property by the percentage of business/investment use. Subtract any section 179 expense deduction. Subtract any special depreciation allowance (50% and 30%). For more information, go to IRS Instructions for Form 4562 Depreciation and Amortization (Including Information on Listed Property) and […]

Form 4562 – Deleting

Form 4562 Depreciation and Amortization is generated for a business form (i.e. Schedule C (Form 1040) Profit or Loss From Business, Schedule F (Form 1040) Profit or Loss From Farming, etc.) only if an asset is entered for that business (including a vehicle even if only the standard mileage rate deduction is taken for that […]

Depreciation – Life of Asset

To determine the classification of property being depreciated, whether it is 3-year property, 5-year property, etc., refer to IRS Instructions for Form 4562 Depreciation and Amortization (Including Information on Listed Property). For further information, you can refer to Appendix B – Table of Class Lives and Recovery Periods on page 97 of IRS Publication 946 […]

Depreciation – Mileage – Heavy Truck

The Asset type selected must be either “Car” or “Light Truck/SUV” before you can enter the mileage within the Q&A interview. Generally, this is because owners of “Heavy Truck” (heavy-duty trucks) will use depreciation instead of the standard mileage rate. The standard mileage rate is the same for cars and light trucks/SUVs. Related Links Mileage […]

Depreciation – Selecting “Other Asset” for Depreciation Criteria

Select “Other Asset” for the Asset type if you wish to enter an asset with the depreciation having specific criteria not defaulted with any other Asset type selection in the TaxAct® program. This will allow you to select the method, life, and convention of the depreciation as needed in the specific situation. We provide this […]

Form 1099-MISC – Gross Proceeds Paid to an Attorney

Form 1099-MISC Box 10 shows gross proceeds paid to an attorney in connection with legal services. These amounts are generally reported on Schedule C (Form 1040). Enter only the taxable portion as income on your return. You need to complete Schedule C before Form 1099-MISC, if you need help completing Schedule C, go to our […]

Form 4562 – Rental Real Property

Lines 26 and 27 of IRS Form 4562 Depreciation and Amortization are for listed assets. Rental real property is not listed property. Property placed in service in the current tax year will appear on Line 19 and any older properties will appear on Line 17. When entering the depreciation information for a rental duplex, of […]

Closing a Business Checklist

Per the IRS Closing a Business webpage: Closing your business can be a difficult and challenging task. The IRS has resources that can help you navigate this. On this page, you’ll find the steps you’ll need to take to close your business from a federal tax perspective regardless of your business type and information to […]

Schedule C – Depletion

Business expenses are the costs of carrying on a trade or business, and they are usually deductible if the business is operated to make a profit. While the TaxAct® program does not calculate depletion for Line 12 of Schedule C (Form 1040) Profit or Loss From Business, you can calculate the amount and enter it […]

Form 6198 – At-Risk Limitations

The at-risk rules place a limit on the amount you can deduct as losses from activities. Generally, any loss from an activity (such as a rental) subject to the at-risk rules is allowed only to the extent of the total amount you have at risk in the activity at the end of the tax year. […]

Author – Income Advance from Publisher

If an author is self-employed, they would need to complete Schedule C (Form 1040) Profit or Loss From Business, as an advance would be considered income. Note that any link in the information above is updated each year automatically and will take you to the most recent version of the webpage or document at the time […]

Business – Bad Debt

If someone owes you money you cannot collect, you may have a bad debt. There are two kinds of bad debts: business bad debts and nonbusiness bad debts. A business bad debt is generally one that comes from operating your trade or business. You may be able to deduct business bad debts as an expense […]

Schedule C – Reporting Odd Jobs

You should report income from odd jobs as business income on Schedule C (Form 1040) Profit or Loss From Business. A payer is required to issue you a Form 1099-MISC Miscellaneous Income if you received more than $600 in compensation. Because you are considered a contractor, you may deduct expenses related to this business activity. […]

Business – Use of Home – Investment Instead of Trade or Business Use

You may be able to deduct expenses related to the business use of part of your home if you meet specific requirements. Even then, your deduction may be limited. Per IRS Publication 587 Business Use of Your Home (Including Use by Daycare Providers), page 3: Trade or Business Use To qualify under the trade-or-business-use test, […]

Schedule K-1 – Additional Information

Some boxes are not presented on Schedule K-1 because they are used to report various items and they can be treated differently, or they are merely informational and are not relevant to your tax return. Because we cannot determine what the items on these lines represent, we cannot accurately transfer it to the appropriate place […]

Schedule E – Entering Depreciation in Program

The following steps will enable you to enter or review rental property related depreciation information to populate IRS Form 4562 Depreciation and Amortization (Including Information on Listed Property) for Federal Schedule E (Form 1040) Supplemental Income and Loss. To enter or review rental property related depreciation information (if you need help accessing Schedule E, go […]

Self Employment – Foreign Earnings

If you were a self-employed individual working abroad, you would still report your self-employment earnings and expenses on Schedule C (Form 1040) Profit or Loss From Business. To access Schedule C in the TaxAct program, go to our Schedule C – Entering Sole Proprietorship in Program FAQ. If you need to remove the self-employment tax […]

Schedule K-1 (Form 1065) – Section 754 in Box 13 Code W

Under section 754, a partnership may elect to adjust the basis of partnership property when property is distributed or when a partnership interest is transferred. Once an election is made under section 754, it applies both to all distributions and to all transfers made during the tax year and in all subsequent tax years unless […]

Schedule C – Self Employed

Self-employment income is reported on Schedule C (Form 1040) Profit or Loss From Business, and the TaxAct program will transfer the net profit or loss to Schedule 1 (Form 1040) Additional Income and Adjustments to Income, Line 3. To report self-employment income on Schedule C in the TaxAct program, go to our Schedule C – Entering […]

Form 1042-S – Foreign Person’s U.S. Source Income Subject to Withholding

Form 1042-S Foreign Person’s U.S. Source Income Subject to Withholding is used to report amounts paid to foreign persons (including persons presumed to be foreign) who are subject to income tax withholding. For an individual taxpayer, Form 1042-S is a document provided to you (and the IRS) by the payer of the income reported. That […]

Schedule E – Depletion

To see the depletion field in the Q&A for a rental property, you need to select non-active participant in the TaxAct program. To reach the Rental Income – Depletion screen for Schedule E (if you need help accessing Schedule E, go to our Schedule E – Entering Rental Property in Program FAQ): From within your […]

Schedule C – Entering Depreciation in Program

The following steps will enable you to enter or review business-related depreciation information to populate IRS Form 4562 Depreciation and Amortization (Including Information on Listed Property) for Federal Schedule C (Form 1040) Profit or Loss From Business, in the TaxAct® program. To enter or review business-related depreciation information (if you need help accessing Schedule C, […]

Business – Use of Home – Rental Home

Per IRS Publication 587, Business Use of Your Home (Including Use by Daycare Providers), page 7: Rent. If you rent the home you occupy and meet the requirements for business use of the home, you can deduct part of the rent you pay. To figure your deduction, multiply your rent payments by the percentage of […]

Employee Expense – Form 2106 or Schedule C

If you receive a Form W-2 Wage and Tax Statement as a Qualified Performing Artist, Fee-Based Government Official, or National Guard/Reserve member at the end of the year, work-related expenses that are deducted from your paychecks (and are actual expenses to you and not reimbursed by your employer or advanced to you by your employer) […]

Schedule E – Vacation Home Limitation Only If Net Loss

If you sometimes use your rental property for personal purposes, you must divide your expenses between rental and personal use. Enter the rental expenses on Schedule E (Form 1040), and the personal expenses (which are eligible for itemized deductions) on Schedule A (Form 1040). Entering the days of personal use and days the property is […]

Active and Passive Material Participation Passive Activity

“Active Participation” and “Passive (Material Participation)” are two separate classifications. Per IRS Publication 925 Passive Activity and At-Risk Rules, page 3: There are two kinds of passive activities. Trade or business activities in which you don’t materially participate during the year Rental activities, even if you do materially participate in them, unless you’re a real estate professional. […]

Section 179 Not Allowed on Rental Property

To qualify for the Section 179 deduction, your property must have been acquired for use in your trade or business. Property acquired only for the production of income, such as investment property or rental property (if renting property is not your trade or business), and property that produces royalties do not qualify. Special qualified properties […]

Schedule C-EZ Net Profit from Business (Sole Proprietorship)

TaxAct supports Schedule C-EZ.  Although a taxpayer may be eligible to use Federal Schedule C-EZ, it is never required. The IRS instructions for Schedule C-EZ, Net Profit From Business, indicate you may use Schedule C-EZ instead of Schedule C only if you meet all of the following qualifications: Had business expenses of $5,000 or less, Use the cash method […]

Schedule K-1 – Entering

The way you report the income from your Schedule K-1 on your Federal Form 1040 U.S. Individual Income Tax Return return depends on the type of K-1 received. There are three types of K-1s that this applies to: Schedule K-1 (Form 1065) Partner’s Share of Income, Credits, Deductions, etc. To enter Schedule K-1 for Form […]

Form 1099-R – Rollover

If the taxpayer has rolled over all or a portion of a distribution from a retirement account to another retirement account, the word “ROLLOVER” will print on Form 1040 U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. If the distribution is from an IRA: The text “ROLLOVER” will print in the left-hand margin by Line 4a. The total […]

Schedule E – Standard Mileage for Vehicle Expenses

Employees and sole proprietors filing Schedule C (Form 1040) Profit or Loss From Business can use either the standard mileage method or actual auto expenses. Corporate and partnership employers can’t use the standard mileage method to compute the auto expense for company-owned cars. Actual auto expenses are deducted at the partnership level. However, employers can […]

Alabama – Severance Pay Exempt from State Income Tax

An amount up to $25,000 shall be exempt from Alabama state income tax if received as severance, unemployment compensation, or termination pay, or as income from a supplemental income plan, or both, by an employee who, as a result of administrative downsizing, is terminated, laid-off, fired, or displaced from his or her employment. If the exempt […]

Schedule E – Remove Vacation Home Limitation

Once the vacation home limitation applies for a property, it will always apply to the property. If you imported your return from last year and the vacation home limitation applied on that return, the information would have been imported to this year’s return. If you do not want your expenses limited by the vacation home […]