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I changed vehicles used for my business. How do I enter begining of year and end of year odometer values?

I am an independent contractor and bought  new car halfway through the year. How do I accurately report my mileage?
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4 Replies
PatriciaV
Expert Alumni

I changed vehicles used for my business. How do I enter begining of year and end of year odometer values?

Do you have a record of the beginning and ending mileage for both cars? Did you keep a written mileage record for your business use? If not, you may not be able to claim a mileage deduction.
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I changed vehicles used for my business. How do I enter begining of year and end of year odometer values?

Thanks for the response! I have the odometer mileage for my first car on January 1, 2016 and the number when I sold it in September. I also know what the odometer reading for my second car was when I bought it in October and what it was on December 31, 2016. I started a delivery job in March but don't have documented mileage until May. I just don't see an option to put in the mileage for more than one vehicle. I am interested in calculating mileage using the standard versus actual method but am just confused where to put all the information!
PatriciaV
Expert Alumni

I changed vehicles used for my business. How do I enter begining of year and end of year odometer values?

Yes, you may enter as many business vehicles as you need to cover the entire year. Create each vehicle separately and report the mileage for each one individually.

The easiest way to find this section of TurboTax is to use the Search box at the top right side of the TurboTax header. Type in "schedule c", hit Enter, then click on the "jump to schedule c" link to go the Business section.

On the Business Summary page, click "Edit" to the right of the business you wish to work on. On the page "Your XXX Business", scroll down to Business Expense and click "Start/Update" to the right of "Business Vehicle Expenses" (see screenshot #1 below - click to enlarge).

1) Continue through the interview to set up your first vehicle. (If you have already set up a vehicle, click "Edit" beside the vehicle you are no longer using.)

2) Look for the page titled "Are You Still Using Your XXXX for Business?" Check the "No" box and enter the date you stopped using this vehicle.

3) Enter the beginning and ending mileage values for this vehicle only (screenshot #2).

4) At the end of the vehicle expenses interview, you will see "Did You Trade-in Your XXXX for Another Vehicle?" (screenshot #3). If you stopped using this vehicle and didn't replace it, check the "No" box. However, if you traded your vehicle for the purchase of another, check the "Yes" box. 

The remaining questions to report a sale/abandonment/trade-in may seem confusing. Read the questions and click on the blue links for more help. Or post a follow-up question to the forum (TurboTax Support).

5) Complete the interview for your first vehicle. 

6) On the Vehicle Summary page, click "Add a Vehicle" (screenshot #4). Continue through the interview to set up your second vehicle, entering the mileage values for this vehicle only.

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I changed vehicles used for my business. How do I enter begining of year and end of year odometer values?

Thank you so much! This worked great!

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