As with many tax
situations, it depends.
Transportation costs
(public or private) can be deductible expenses for self-employment
income.
If
you have multiple job sites for single client (or multiple clients), you
can deduct your transportation costs.
(Example: If you performing
your self-employment work at a series of single locations (each for a temporary
period of time), you would be able to claim a deduction).
If
you work out of a home office and have no regular place of business,
you may deduct your commuting costs between your home office and a client's
location.
If you have a place of
business, such as a store or office,
you cannot deduct your costs to commute
between your home and your place of business.
(Example: If you are
performing all of your self-employment work at a single, unchanging location
you would not be able to claim a deduction).
Unfortunately, you will need TurboTax Home & Business
to report the income and the expenses for this work. The IRS requires you to report 1099-MISC
income on Form 1040
The TurboTax Free Edition can only prepare Forms 1040-EZ
and 1040-A. These are simpler returns, and why TurboTax offers this product
for free.
