I have a NOL from 2017 of $9k and a 2018 profit from my Sch C business of $5k. Do I need to use the NOL on my 2018 return or can I carry the full NOL to a future year?

[kwkisiel]

The $5k is my only income so by using the NOL this year my self emp tax does not change, I only lose part of the NOL with no tax benefit.

[MichaelL1 · Accepted solution]

You cannot skip a year of using the NOL.  You need to use on the 2018 if you elected to forgo the carry-back period.