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@1stimetaxdoer 

 

can I deduct snacks/meals at my home office, if you are not meeting with customers, then they would be personal expenses and not deductible.

 

start-up expenses are expenses incurred before you started your business. doing work for just one customer would mean you started your business. 

 

start-up expenses would likely include expenses incurred in forming the LLC. the following costs would also be included in start-up expenses (not all-inclusive): survey of potential markets, advertising the opening of business, fees paid in connection with starting the business, travel to secure distributors, suppliers and customers. 

the deduction or amortization for these expenses is covered by IRC 195 and starts with the year the business begins

 1) if $5000 or less they are fully deductible in the year the business starts unless the taxpayer elects to amortize them over 15 years by making an election

2) if the expenses are more than $5,000 but $50,000 or less, the excess over $5,000 is amortized over 15 years.

3) if the expenses exceed $50,000 the $5,000 deduction is reduced dollar for dollar by the excess (at $55,000 there is no current deduction)  but not below zero. whatever isn't deductible is amortized over 15 years. 

 

 on schedule C you would use the asset entry worksheet