Form Schedule C
Profit or Loss From Business (Sole Proprietorship)
Report the income and expenses of a business you run as a sole proprietor or single-member LLC — attached to your Form 1040.
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What is Form Schedule C?
Schedule C is where a sole proprietor, independent contractor, freelancer, or single-member LLC reports business revenue and deducts business expenses. The net profit or loss flows to Form 1040 and to Schedule SE for self-employment tax.
Part I totals your gross receipts and cost of goods sold to get gross profit. Part II lists deductible expenses by category — advertising, car, supplies, home office, and more. Parts III–V cover inventory, vehicle details, and any expenses that do not fit the standard lines.
You file a separate Schedule C for each distinct business you operate.
- Who needs it
- Anyone with self-employment income: contractors who received a 1099-NEC, gig workers, freelancers, and single-member LLC owners who did not elect corporate taxation.
- Deadline
- Filed with your Form 1040 — generally April 15 (or the following business day), or October 15 with an extension.
- How to submit
- Attach it to your Form 1040 and file together, electronically through tax software or by mail. It is never filed on its own.
Form Schedule C — line-by-line
Header — Business details
Your name, SSN, principal business or profession, the business code, business name, and EIN if you have one.
Part I — Income
Gross receipts (line 1), returns and allowances, cost of goods sold from Part III, and other income to reach gross profit and gross income.
Part II — Expenses
Enter each deductible category on its line — advertising, car and truck, insurance, legal, office, rent, supplies, travel, meals, utilities, wages — then total on line 28.
Line 30 — Home office
The simplified method (square footage) or Form 8829 for the actual-expense method.
Line 31 — Net profit or loss
Gross income minus total expenses. Carries to Schedule 1 of Form 1040 and to Schedule SE.
Part III — Cost of goods sold
For businesses that carry inventory: beginning inventory, purchases, labor, materials, and ending inventory.
Form Schedule C — frequently asked questions
Do I need Schedule C if I only got one 1099-NEC?+
Yes. Any self-employment income is reported on Schedule C, even a single small payment.
Schedule C vs Schedule C-EZ?+
Schedule C-EZ was discontinued after 2018. Everyone now uses the full Schedule C.
Can Schedule C show a loss?+
Yes. A net loss generally offsets other income on your 1040, subject to at-risk and passive-activity rules and the hobby-loss test.
What is the business code?+
A six-digit code identifying your industry, listed in the Schedule C instructions. Pick the closest match to your main activity.
Related forms
The blank Form Schedule C offered here is the version published by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Official page and instructions .
PDFCure is not a government agency and does not provide tax, legal, or immigration advice. This page is general information — for your specific situation, follow the official instructions or consult a qualified professional. Always download the current edition from the agency before filing. Revision referenced: 2024.