I get an error related to amortizing startup costs related to a business, but I never selected that and have no startup costs. How can I get rid of the error?

Forum|Forum|2 months ago
April 14, 2026
1 reply
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I have business expenses but none of them are in the 'startup costs' category. It's possible I selected that as an option at some point but there's nothing there now. Any help articles I found seem to refer to a different turbotax product b/c the interface and options they describe doesn't work. My business is a simple consulting business - self-employed.

TurboTax Online

PatriciaV

Level 15

You may need to return to your self-employed business and delete the line for startup costs. This should resolve the review message you received.

If you're logged into TurboTax Online, use this link: Schedule C or go to Federal >> Wages & Income >> Self-Employment.

From the Self-Employed Business Summary page, edit the business you need to work on.
Under Expenses, click the delete (trashcan) icon to remove Startup Costs.
Also review the entries under Assets in case the Startup Costs were added there. Again, simply delete the related line.
Click Continue when you're done.

Now run Federal Review (Smart Check) again.

If the startup costs were not removed, you may need to manually delete the related forms.

From the left column, go to Tax Tools >> Tools and choose "Delete a form."
Look for "Schedule C (name of business) Election to Amortize Startup Costs" and delete.
Click Continue.
Return to your Schedule C expenses.
Startup Costs should now say "Not Started" or "Needs Review."
Delete the line for Startup Costs.
Click Continue.