Tax Year 2025. Election to Amortize Startup Costs: Expenditure amount must be entered

[AGP11]

I added a new Schedule C and stated I don't have any startup costs, however, in the final review it comes up as an error to fix. Despite answering that in repetition, it still flags as an error. How do i resolve the error?

[MaryK4]

The most effective fix is to manually delete the specific form causing the loop without deleting your entire Schedule C. 
 

For TurboTax Online:
 

1. In the left-side menu, select Tax Tools, then click Tools.
2. In the pop-up window, select Delete a form.
3. Scroll through the list to find "Election to Amortize Startup Costs" or "Startup Cost Worksheet".
4. Click Delete next to that form and confirm.
5. Return to the Federal Review to see if the error is cleared.

[AGP11]

thanks. I'm using the desktop version—how do you address the error on that version? And, will it create any issues with the filing, or is it just a worksheet that is causing the error?

[MaryK4]

There will be no issues with the filing once you clear the error.  This is one of the few instances where an entry in one place creates a form or worksheet that you cannot simply clear by changing the answer in the interface. @AGP11 

The steps for Desktop are:

1. Switch to Forms Mode by clicking the Forms icon in the top right corner.
2. In the left pane, look for "Startup Cost" or "Form 4562" (the amortization section).
3. Select the form, then click the Delete Form button at the bottom of the screen.

[AGP11]

I don't see a form 4562, but do see IRC 195 with an exclamation mark. Is this the form to address? There is no delete option on the bottom, but spotted a remove IRC 195 form from the drop down menus at the top of the program. Safe to assume that is what I should do—only remove the IRC 195  through this method?

[MaryK4]

Yes, that is the correct Form to delete if you do not have startup expenses.   In TurboTax, a red exclamation mark signifies an error or incomplete information on that specific form. @AGP11