I haven't made money yet on my sole proprietorship since starting. Do I claim it? I haven't received any forms for it. I don't yet rely on this business for insurance.

[illieg7]

I still have my previous job from before. Nothing more has changed aside from filing for this new business. I've spent over $5000 on expenses to get it started.

[ErnieS0]

Yes. You should file your sole proprietorship business if you were actively engaged in business. The IRS requires you to file a complete and accurate tax return.

You are allowed to claim a loss — and it’s OK to have expenses and no income — especially if this is your first year. However, the IRS can disallow future losses if you don’t make a profit in three of every five years.

Here’s how to tell the difference between a hobby and a business for tax purposes

If you were never actively in business then you can write off your start-up expenses in the year when you actually start operating your business. 

For example, if you printed up business cards, signed up for a web hosting plan, and bought office equipment but never tried to meet any clients or finished your website then you weren’t actively conducting business and should not write off expenses.

[Opus 17]

If you are actively engaged in the business as an ongoing business activity with a profit motive, then you should file a schedule C.  You can report your expenses, which will create a loss that can be carried forward to reduce your taxable income when you start making a profit.

If you have not started to actively engage in the business, then save your startup costs, you don't report them now.  You will report them in the first year that you do begin your business activities. 

Startup costs less than $5000 are deductible expenses in the first year you actively perform the business. Startup costs over $5000 are partly deductible in the first year and partly amortized over 15 years, according to a formula I don't have at hand right now, but Turbotax includes.  Startup costs which are the purchase of assets (equipment, property, etc.) are handled in the usual way for the type of asset involved.