My business had no profit or loss during 2022, so it's not necessary to file a Schedule C. Why is TurboTax making me include a Schedule C on my return?

[jules155]

In prior years I had business profit and loss, but not in 2022.  In 2022 I had NO income from my business, so there's no need for me to include a Schedule C in my 2022 return. I have a simply return, and want to free file with Turbo Tax but TT is saying I need to upgrade to TT Premium to file my return because of the Schedule C (which I don't need to include). This makes no sense.  How can I resolve this?

[AliciaP1]

Since you do not have any income or expenses to report on the Schedule C, you can delete the form and proceed.

To delete a specific form in TurboTax Online you can follow these steps:

1. Within your return, click on Tax Tools in the black menu on the left side of the screen.
2. Click on Tools.
3. Click on Delete a Form. 
4. Scroll down to your Schedule C and click Delete.
5. Under Federal in the black menu bar click Wages & Income to get back into your tax returns.
6. Proceed entering/reviewing your return.

To do this in TurboTax Desktop you can follow these steps:

1. Within your return, click on the Forms icon in the upper right of the screen to switch to Forms mode.
2. Scroll down in the menu bar on the left and select your Schedule C.
3. Click the Delete Form button at the bottom left of the preview screen.
4. Confirm the deletion then click the Step-by-Step icon in the upper right of the screen.
5. Proceed entering/reviewing your return.

[Carl]

Weather the business had income/expenses is not the only factor in determining if a SCH C needs to be filed.

Did you officially, correctly and completely close your business in 2021 and file a "final" SCH C with your 2021 tax return?

Does your business claim business assets that you depreciate? If so, did you report disposition of those assets on the 2021 tax return?

Did your business claim any vehicle expenses at any time since you opened it, even if the vehicle use was less than 100%? If so, did you report disposition of the vehicle on the 2021 tax return?

Did your business report inventory and if so, report a positive inventory balance at the end of 2021?