Schedule C (Form 1040)
Definition
Schedule C is a tax form used by sole proprietors and single-member LLCs to report business income or loss.
Explanation
Schedule C (Profit or Loss from Business) is filed with Form 1040 by self-employed individuals, independent contractors, and sole proprietors. It reports business income, deducts business expenses, and calculates net profit or loss — which is then subject to self-employment tax and income tax.
Key deductions on Schedule C include home office expenses, vehicle expenses, supplies, equipment, travel, meals, and health insurance premiums. The net profit from Schedule C flows to Form 1040 and is also used to calculate self-employment tax on Schedule SE.
Example
A freelance writer reports $50,000 in income and $15,000 in expenses (home office, equipment, software, travel) on Schedule C. Net profit = $35,000, which is taxed as self-employment income.
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