If my husband retired 12/31/2016 and was a sole proprietor, why do we have to show the business on tax return for 2017?

[WillK · Accepted solution]

On you 2016 return did you mark the Schedule C as a final return or indicate that the business was closed? If not, you should do that on your 2015 Schedule C. You do not need to input any income or expenses, but there is a spot where you indicate that the business is closed and no operational. This will inform the IRS and your state that the business is no longer open so they will not be looking for that on your return anymore.

If you did this on your 2016 return, then you can simply delete the Schedule C from this return:

·         Login to your TurboTax account

·         Click Continue Your Return

·         In the top right corner of the screen, you will see My Account, click on my Account

·         Click on Tools

·         Under Other Helpful Links you will see delete a form, click on delete a form

·         Under Federal Return you should see Schedule C and next to it Delete, click on delete